Paul Pogba needs fresh air, says Raiola, confirming no headway in contract extension talks

Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has had a struggling few seasons at Old Trafford, having fallen behind the pecking order under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The France international has seen himself move in and out of Solskjaer's starting line up since the start of the season, reigniting exit talks. Although the club triggered the one-season extension clause in his contract, the player's agent has confirmed no breakthrough in talks to extend his stay beyond 2022. 

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Midfielder needs new team: Mino Raiola comments trigger Pogba transfer talks 

Speaking to Tuttsport, Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has reignited transfer talks. The super-agent has clearly confirmed that the midfielder's time was up at Old Trafford. "Pogba is unhappy at Man United and is finding it extremely difficult to express himself on the field", said Raiola. 

Raiola, further hinting at Pogba transfer away from the Premier League, claimed that his client needs a new team, a change of air. He went on to cite the fact that the 2018 World Cup winner with France is under contract with the Red Devils until 2022, with 18 months left, indirectly hinting that he will not extend his stay with the club beyond the current deal. 

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Is Pogba leaving Man United? Will he return to Italy?

Pogba has been linked with Spanish giants Real Madrid. But there's no clarity if president Florentino Perez will sanction a mega-money move for the Frenchman, with the club already monitoring the situation of Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) superstar Kylian Mbappe and Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland. 

Besides Real Madrid, he is also rumoured to be keen on a return to Juventus. And Raiola hasn't denied a possible return to the Allianz Stadium next summer. The super-agent insists his unhappiness at Old Trafford might compel him to consider returning to Italy, apart from the prospect of playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. 

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Pogba agent hints at free exit in 2022 

On being asked the best way out for the 27-year-old from the current situation, Raiola insists it would be in the best of interest for both the parties to come to terms with his exit next summer transfer window. If Man United do not agree on selling the midfielder at the end of the current season, then they will risk losing out him for free in the summer of 2022. 

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Image courtesy: Paul Pogba Instagram