Europe's hottest property: Paul Pogba

There is not a European giant in football that hasn't been linked to Juventus' French midfielder Paul Pogba. Interest in Pogba is duly deserved as he continues to develop at such a alarming rate in Turin and the transfer mill has been in over drive regarding his future this summer with monster bids expected to come in. Will Pogba be at Juventus next year or is a new challenge on the horizon?

Paul Pogba may well be Sir Alex Ferguson's greatest footballing regret. The Frenchman was in the Manchester United youth ranks in his teenage years, but became frustrated at being a fringe player that wasn't being considered for the first team despite impressing. Paul Pogba said he told Ferguson before their 2011 fixture against Blackburn: "Play me, I will show you I'm ready or not."

"Against Blackburn, I was on the bench. Ferguson puts Rafeal in midfield with Ji Sung Park. Then I gave up, I was really bummed." Pogba refused to sign a new contract and left for Juventus on a free transfer, a move that has done wonders for him. Team mate and Turin legend Gianluigi Buffon said Manchester United were "blind" not to recognise his talents whereas his agent Mino Raiola, a man known for engineering moves for his players, said: "Pogba is worth more than Bale. With all respect for Bale, Pogba is better."

Paul Pogba was in the French world
cup squad for Brazil 2014

At Juventus, Pogba was training day in day out with some of the best midfielders in the world in Pirlo, Vidal and Marchiso and even with such a packed midfield, gets regular game time. Antonio Conte could see Pogba was ready and has been a huge influence on Pogba's growth. It is at Juventus, Pogba has gone from a highly rated teenager into one of the most promising midfielders in the world.

Comparisons to Patrick Viera come thick and fast but, in all honesty, Pogba is much better with the ball than the Arsenal legend, something Viera himself even admits. Pogba seems so relaxed on the ball and has the ability to glide past players, twinned with a cannon strike that has so often troubled keepers in Serie A. At 21 years of age, Pogba is no light weight either as his big frame often bullies players much older than him off the ball and the use of his long legs aid him in winning challenges. Pogba has all the necessary abilities that a midfielder requires.  

£50 million, £60 million and even a £80 million bid are all reported to have been readied or submitted for Pogba. The outrageous amount of money touted for Pogba does beg the question, is he really worth such a fee? Simple answer, no. But, in today's modern market with the sky high inflation on footballer's value, this sort of money would not be unthinkable for a player who is almost certain to go on and do great things.

A young teenage Paul Pogba in
the Manchester United strip

 
The Juventus man is seriously being considered by PSG, Chelsea and Real Madrid who are expected to bid for Pogba this summer. It remains to be seen whether or not Juventus will resist bids for Pogba but if a bid comes in which they feel fits his valuation, they could take it. There are doubts surrounding Pogba's long term future, with many doubting if Pogba will be at the club for many more years. He has made no secret about his admiration for other clubs such as Arsenal and PSG  in the past.

Summer transfer windows are known as a time for huge transfers which often sparks a debate over the economic state the game is coming into. That said, there is no reason why clubs won't spend a ridiculous amount of money on Pogba this summer and one thing is for sure, there will be bids.