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Paul Pogba’s latest appearance in a short film for sponsors Adidas has intensified speculation surrounding his long-anticipated move to Manchester United .
The Juventus midfielder is Manchester United’s number one transfer target this summer, with the two clubs currently in negotiations over a world record-breaking transfer.
However, Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, insisted last week that an agreement had not yet been reached, tweeting: “There is no deal done regarding Paul Pogba, lots of bla bla bla.”
Adidas’ short clip, posted on the sportswear manufacturer’s official Twitter account, shows Pogba reading a newspaper with the words ‘Blah, blah, blah’ in a large font, in an apparent reference to Raiola’s tweet.
Pogba then tells the camera: “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.”
As well as sponsoring Pogba, Adidas are also Juventus and United's official kit manufacturers, having signed a £75m-a-year deal with the Premier League club in 2014.
Show all 23 1 /23Paul Pogba transfer story so far Paul Pogba transfer story so far Friday 8 July - Mourinho wants signing completed before Community Shield clash Reports emerged that Jose Mourinho wanted to complete a deal for Paul Pogba ahead of United’s Community Shield encounter with Leicester City in August. At this stage it was understood that the Frenchman favoured a move to Spain.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Friday 8 July - Pogba tells close friends he wants to leave Turin More rumours, more speculation. Days before France’s Euro 2016 final, Pogba reportedly told his close friends that he wanted to leave Juventus.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Saturday 9 July - Real Madrid "abandon" their Pogba pursuit According to Spanish journalist Guillem Balague, the La Liga giants decided they were not prepared to match United’s record-breaking £100m bid and “abandoned the auction”.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Monday 11 July - Pogba could stay put after all On the day after the Euro 2016 final it briefly looked like Pogba would be staying put in Turin after Juventus offered the star an improved contract deal. Mino Raiola added to these rumours after he remarked that Pogba “is in no rush to leave” and is “happy” in Turin.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Thursday 14 July - United "are my family" Paul Pogba offered United fans hope after commenting that he considered United as “my first family.” Pogba made his remarks in a rare interview with ESPN in which he was presented with a Manchester United shirt.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Thursday 14 July - Petit labels Pogba a "waste of money" Emannuel Petit labelled Pogba a “waste of money” in an interview with Yahoo Sport and argued that “he is not a big star for me”. Petit added: “He hasn’t reached the level of the Champions League yet or the level with the national team.”
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Tuesday 19 July - Zidane offers United more hope The Real Madrid boss confirmed reports that the club weren’t interested in competing with United for the player after he stressed that he was “happy with the squad I have”.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Tuesday 19 July - Woodward stays in England If the reports are to be believed, United’s executive vice-chairman stayed in England to wrap up the Pogba deal as the squad flew out to China for their pre-season. The club neither confirmed or denied this.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Wednesday 20 July - The deal looks to be done Reports from both England and France claimed that that an agreement between Juventus and Manchester United had been reached. It was reported that Pogba would earn £220,000-a-week and that the deal was worth £92m plus add-ons but Juventus’ club director, Guiseppe Marotta, remarked that no contact had been made.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Thursday 21 July - Pogba asks for peace The speculation appeared to get a bit too much for Pogba who issued a plea with fans “to let him rest a bit” as he enjoyed his holiday in America. The player made the request via his Instagram account and showed him playing basketball in Las Vegas.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Friday 22 July - Mourinho gives little away Speaking to the Independent, United boss Jose Mourinho gave very little away regarding the Pogba move. He remarked that “75 per cent” of United’s transfer business was done and the club were “going to get a fourth player but maybe it’s not the one you think”. Elsewhere, he remarked that the club were in a “comfortable position” within the transfer market.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Friday 22 July - Mino Raiola attacks the media Pogba’s agent denied claims via Twitter that the transfer had been finalised, remarking that: “There is no deal done”. He also spoke out against the media, publicly stating that: “I don’t give a damn about record transfer fees. The newspapers write that Pogba could set the record, but I’ve already set records with Ibrahimovic and Nedved.”
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Saturday 23 July – Juventus confirm negotiations are underway Massimiliano Allegri confirmed that negotiations between the two clubs were underway. “Pogba is a Juventus player at the moment but we don't know what is going to happen. The club are looking after negotiations,” he said. Allegri’s revelation was the strongest official suggestion at that stage that talks were taking place between the two clubs.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Monday 25 July – £92m bid submitted Reports suggested that United had submitted an offer worth £92m for Pogba. It was also the first time that it emerged that agent Mino Raiola would be entitled to 20 per cent of the sum set to be paid by United to Juventus.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Monday 25 July – Cryptic Pogba Instagram post Paul Pogba appeared to tease Manchester United supporters on Monday after posting a cryptic message on his official Instagram account. The Juventus midfielder posted a picture which showed him and his agent, Mino Raiola, laughing by a swimming pool on a sunny day. The caption on the image read: "We say it all by saying nothing at all."
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Tuesday 26 July – Deal ‘held up’ by row The transfer appeared to stall as it emerged that Juventus were refusing to pay a penny of Mino Raiola’s agent fees. While United were reportedly happy to half the £20m figure, it was claimed that Juventus had grown frustrated with Raiola’s conduct and were thus refusing to pay him.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Wednesday 27 July – ‘Cancelled’ Pogba medical In yet another strange turn of events, Mino Raiola allegedly cancelled Pogba’s medical which the 23-year-old was expected to complete in Miami. According to reports, the deal was not close enough to justify a medical. However, the doctor supposedly involved with the procedure, Dr Italo Linfante, denied any knowledge of the medical even being set to take place.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Wednesday 27 July – Zidane back in the picture Zinedine Zidane claimed that Real Madrid could still hijack Manchester United's move for Paul Pogba, insisting that “anything can happen” before the end of the transfer window. "In this moment we are still working [on a move for Pogba], and I cannot say anything more," the Madrid coach told Goal. "Until August 31 anything can happen…”
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Wednesday 27 July – ‘Don’t believe everything you read’ Pogba whipped up further speculation after he appeared in a short film for sponsors Adidas in which he remarks: “Don’t believe everything you read in the papers.” Adidas’ short clip also showed Pogba reading a newspaper with the words "Blah, blah, blah" in a large font, in an apparent reference to Raiola’s tweet.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Thursday 28 July – Yet another Instagram post Pogba excited United fans again with another playful Instagram post. Many believed that Pogba’s use of a red, white and black filter – United's traditional colours – was confirmation that he would be joining the club shortly. His caption – ‘on route 66 #holidays #route66’ – was also interpreted as an indicator that he would be wearing the No.6 shirt at Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Friday 29 July – £112m deal allegedly agreed A £112m deal was reportedly agreed between the two clubs on Friday afternoon, with the dispute over Raiola’s agent fees also believed to have been agreed. Reports claimed that United would pay the Serie A club £92m while a further £20m would go to Raiola. United were apparently eager to officially confirm Pogba as their player but no such announcements emerged out of Old Trafford.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Friday 29 July – Raiola brands journalists ‘parrots’ Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola hit out against the media once again, branding journalists as “parrots” while claiming that there is “no deal done”. The 48-year-old wrote on Twitter: “Journalist = parrots No deal done between Clubs. It’s a game between Italy press and UK press who announce it first and who is worse.” The tweet angered fans who have grown tired of Raiola and Pogba’s apparent games.
Paul Pogba transfer story so far Satuday 30 July – Pogba signs Manchester United shirt for fan Pogba suggested that his long-drawn-out move to United is nearing completion after signing a fan’s shirt. Jonathan Perkins, who was celebrating his 18th birthday while wearing a new United jersey with "Pogba 6" printed on the back, spotted the France international in Los Angeles on Friday. Perkins asked him for an autograph and, despite the fact that Pogba’s return to Old Trafford is yet to be confirmed, the French player obliged.
Speculation regarding Pogba’s potential return to Old Trafford has been rife in recent months, particularly following the appointment of Jose Mourinho as United’s manager.
The Portuguese identified four ‘fundamental’ positions which needed to be strengthen upon joining the club in May.
Summer 2016 Transfer Window - Done deals and rumours Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic have since filled spots in central defence, the right-side of midfield and up front respectively.
Pogba is believed to be Mourinho’s desired central midfielder – a position which has proved to be a weak spot in recent years at Old Trafford.
Juventus are reportedly determined to receive €120m (£100m), a world record transfer fee, for Pogba’s services.
The deal has also been complicated by Raiola’s demands, with both clubs reluctant to pay his €25m (£21m) fee in full.
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