Publications
Partners
Milan - Paris Saint Germain and Real Madrid could lead the race to buy Juventus star Paul Pogba although the French midfielder may remain in Italy for another season, his agent Mino Raiola said Thursday.
A string of stunning performances for the Italian champions has seen the combative midfielder's value rocket, with a number of top European clubs said to be lining up to secure Pogba's signature at the end of the season.
Raiola, the Dutch 'super agent' who also represents Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Mario Balotelli among others, compared Pogba to a painting by Dutch master Vincent Van Gogh.
"Who knows how much he is worth? It depends how much money you have to spend, and who is buying," Raiola said in an interview with La Gazetta dello Sport on Thursday.
He hinted the 21-year-old could make the "natural" choice of a move to Paris Saint Germain, or decide to leave Juve "only for a top club".
Either way, Raiola believes Juventus could purchase the backbone of a new team capable of challenging for Champions League honours with the money they receive for the Frenchman.
"If they don't sell Pogba they won't have the money they need to challenge for honours in the Champions League," added Raiola.
"How long can I keep Paul in Italy? Everyone has a card up their sleeve, it just depends when they want to play it.
"PSG is the most natural choice. If he wants to go there, who can say no? But I don't know if that is an option right now. Paul could stay for another year at Juve.
"Plus, if he leaves, he will leave only for a top club. So, if it's not this year, it could be next. In the meantime, his value is on a par with all the other 'big' players on the market, so he can stay another year."
Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri recently admitted Pogba could leave the club before the end of his contract, which expires in June 2019.
"We have to live in the present. We don't know what will happen in June," said Allegri. "A lot of clubs are looking at him, but that's normal. He's young, strong and has yet to reach his full potential as a player."
Champions League winners Real Madrid recently distanced themselves from the French international, with Madrid legend Zinedine Zidane telling Marca: "He's a very good player, but there's a lot of very good players out there.
"I can't tell you if he's right for Real Madrid because it's not up to me."
But Raiola added: "Today they say they're not interested, but tomorrow they would run to sign him.
"He is the only big player available on the market this summer. If you can't buy (Cristiano) Ronaldo, Ibra or (Lionel) Messi, the only one you can buy is him (Pogba)."
