Paul Pogba's talent is undeniable - hence the fact that Pep Guardiola held talks with the midfielder over what would have been a hugely controversial switch from Manchester United to Manchester City.
The Frenchman's contract has expired at Old Trafford and the Red Devils have already publicly bid farewell to Pogba, ensuring as things stand the World Cup winner is a free agent without a club. It has been widely known for quite some time that the ex-Juventus man had no interest in extending his stay at United - putting a number of sides on high alert.
While Pogba's consistency has so often been called into question, along with lingering doubts over his attitude, he has clearly done enough to attract a list of impressive potential suitors. Spanish giants Real Madrid were rumoured to be interested, a club that Pogba has previously admitted would be a "dream" to join.
Most notably, City threw their hat in the ring with Guardiola rumoured to be incredibly keen on the idea of enticing the France international to the Etihad. The City boss discussed Pogba earlier on this season by reflecting upon when the midfielder was offered to him back in 2018.
Pogba's late agent Mino Raiola branded Guardiola as "a coward" and "a dog", to which the ex-Barcelona manager replied: "Pogba is an incredible player... a top, top player... I said no [to the offer]. We don't have enough money to buy Pogba because he is so expensive. I'm surprised because I am a dog. He wants his players to come here. So, no. No way."
According to the Athletic, City's director of football Txiki Begiristain presented Pogba with an impressive offer that put him up there with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne as one of the club's highest earners. The transfer simply failed to materialise due to the media storm that would have followed.
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Pogba weighed up the offer but factored in the new level of scrutiny both he and his family would have been placed under and opted against making the short move across the city. The 29-year-old had his house burgled earlier this year and appears to have his mind made up since then that a new chapter somewhere else was required for his family.
Instead, a return to Turin now seems the most likely destination for Pogba as the Serie A giants lead the race to nab his services without paying a penny in transfer fees.
Paris Saint-Germain had briefly entered the race, but it has long been the case that Pogba has had his heart set on a second spell at Juventus as they look to improve on a disappointing last season under the same boss that Pogba worked with last time in Massimiliano Allegri.
