Paul Pogba: Mino Raiola hints at Juventus transfer for Manchester United midfielder

Raiola has suggested the French international should leave the club in January

Paul Pogba could be set for a move back to Juventus (Getty Images)

Mino Raiola has hinted a move back to Juventus could be on the cards for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

Raiola overshadowed the build-up to United's crunch Champions League match with RB Leipzig with an interview in the Italian press where he suggested the French international should leave the club in January.

It's not the first time Pogba has been linked with an exit with a number of high-profile clubs likely to be interested should he indeed be made available next month.

Former club Juventus are known admirers with Raiola hinting that would be something he and the player would be interested in.

"Maybe Juventus could be his next destination. Why not?," he told Tuttosport. "Among other things, the relationship with the club and with his former team-mates is excellent. At the time of Covid, not many teams can afford to buy Paul.

"The important thing is to want it (a deal for Pogba)."

The Red Devils kicked off a crucial week with a 3-1 victory on Saturday evening at West Ham, where the 27-year-old's stunner sparked a comeback triumph.

Pogba spoke after the match about the need for the squad to "carry on this mentality of winning", with Manchester City due to arrive at Old Trafford four days after the make-or-break match at Leipzig.

But attention needlessly turned to the player's future on the eve of Tuesday's game thanks to comments from outspoken agent Raiola released as the midfielder travelled with the squad to Germany.

"There's no use ignoring it," he said. "It's better to speak honestly, look to the future and not waste time trying to blame people: Paul is unhappy at Manchester United, he can no longer express himself as he wants to or in the way that's expected of him.

"He needs to change team, he needs a change of scene. He has a contract that expires in a year-and-a-half's time, in the summer of 2022, but I think the best solution would be for him to leave in the next transfer window.

"Otherwise the club from Old Trafford, with whom he has a good relationship, know very well that they risk losing him on a free transfer, considering that right now he does not want to extend his deal.

"If people don't get that, they know very little about football. In any case, they'll all blame me if Paul leaves next summer."

Additional reporting by PA