Transfer News: Arsenal & Man City Chasing Man Utd Starlet

Two first team appearances against Leeds United at Elland Road and Aldershot Town at the Recreation Ground were not the most spectacular of locations nor were the performances anything too special, but for Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, they have been enough to gather serious interest from clubs across Europe.

United’s 18 year-old French midfielder has a squad number that equates to 21 times the amount of first team games he has played for the club he signed for in 2009 from Le Havre, but his very raw talent has been very clear to see. Creativity and vision, strength and stamina are all large parts of his developing game, displaying these regularly in the United reserve team.

Even before he signed for Manchester United two years ago, Arsenal, Liverpool and Juventus had been watching a 16 year-old Pogba, but as his contract ticks dangerously down – expiring in June – the same clubs and more circle with interest over United’s brightest prospect.

United’s local and now Premier League rivals Manchester City have reportedly claimed an interest, along with Arsenal and German side Hamburg, with the latest club to apparently appreciate their regard for Pogba being Italian giants AC Milan. Sir Alex Ferguson must rush to agree terms over a new contract with his French youngster in order to keep him at Old Trafford, as interest as big as this will not go unnoticed from an ambitious midfielder who has only appeared sparingly in Carling Cup games. It is a worry that Pogba could leave next summer on a free transfer to one of United’s biggest rivals.

Ferguson is apparently quietly confident that he can persuade his exciting prospect to stay with the club, having already acknowledged the potential risks in holding the player back, saying before the start of the season:

“If we hold Pogba back, what’s going to happen? He’s going to leave. You know, in a couple of years time when his contract is going to finish. So we have to give him the opportunity to see how he can do in the first-team and he’s got great ability, plus he’s got the physique and athleticism.”

Few at United would want to see Pogba leave; he is seen as a regular midfield enforcer of the future at Old Trafford, with Sir Alex slowly building a team of young, enthusiastic, and most importantly, hugely talented players well capable of mounting future title challenges. Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck have already pushed themselves into regular team spots, and a number of youngster look likely to follow from the promising reserve team at United.

If he has teams like City, who have the money to buy any central midfielder in the world, Arsenal, who are well known for their nurturing and discovery of shining stars of the future, and AC Milan, European giants of football, after only two senior games, just imagine what it will be like after a few more.