Lionel Messi signing for PSG will impact Paul Pogba's Man Utd future amid contract talks
Should Lionel Messi join PSG this summer following his Barcelona departure - that would change the situation of Paul Pogba and his contract dilemma at Manchester United
Posted Saturday, August 07, 2021 by Dailystar.co.uk
Lionel Messi could have an indirect impact on the future of Paul Pogba at Manchester United following his Barcelona exit after 17 first-team seasons that included 672 goals.
The Ballon d'Or king had agreed to a huge wage cut with the Catalan giants, but has now been forced to find a new challenge after club president Joan Laporta detailed their financial constraints.
With Manchester City and Chelsea among those linked, PSG are leading the race thanks to their financial muscle and also their Argentinian connections through manager Mauricio Pochettino.
While they might not be in the race to sign Messi, United could find themselves in a positive situation following his move - and in a position to extend the contract of Pogba.
Paul Pogba is in the last year of his contract at Manchester United
The World Cup winning midfielder has been unsettled by transfer rumours during the last 24 months, with his contract being extended by the club until the summer of 2022.
That puts the Red Devils in a tricky position with the threat of a free transfer, but PSG have been the only likely suitors in recent windows.
ESPN report that PSG reached out to Messi almost immediately following the announcement on Thursday, and that his move would effectively end their interest in Pogba - which would push him towards an extension at United.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said of Pogba earlier this week: “I hope every player thinks this is the place to be to win trophies.
“When you sign for Manchester United, you have to rise to the challenge.
"Paul has come back and he’s fresh and he’s always such a positive boy. The talks I’ve had with him have all been positive.”
With the player himself saying back in June: "I have one year left on my contract, everyone knows that.
"There have been no concrete proposals for extensions. I'm still in Manchester.
"After the season there was the vacation, so I didn't sit down with the managers and coach. I'm focused on the Euro.”
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