Manchester City: Transfer News and Rumour Roundup

The Wishful Thinking

Paul Pogba, Juventus, 23, Midfield

It’s nice to want things. Everybody dreams big every now and then, like imagining yourself playing for Manchester City in the Champions League Final and scoring the winning goal, or fantasising about riding an army tank through the walls of Old Trafford. There’s big dreams and then there’s signing Paul Pogba, possibly the most desirable player in the World right now.

Indeed, SportsPro rated the Frenchman as the second highest most marketable sportsman on the Planet right now, way above any other footballer. And if that wasn’t enough to convince you, imagine that every club that matters if scrambling to open their coffers for potentially £110 million in transfers fees to get the lad. That’s nuts.

So it is, with a heavy heart, that I feel inclined to suggest that we perhaps shouldn’t get our hopes up again this year. Guardiola may well get a massive war chest, but much of what remains after Gundogan will go to other needed improvements on the park. As much as Pogba would light up every team he faces in the Premier League, City can’t afford another campaign with a questionable back four and, in my mind, Laporte is a top priority.

Following that, I’d imagine Kroos would be the highest target and indeed many publications are stating such. Further, the Independent newspaper now confirms that following Gundogan’s announcement that City will likely have cooled on Pogba. Better to focus on a realistic achievement than chase shadows that never pan out. Leave that to United.

Obviously Pogba’s the top pick this year, as last. He’s a league above the rest and he’s only getting better, terrifyingly enough. But as much as City would like Pogba, they don’t need Pogba. An enforced defence they need. Quality, pass-orientated playmaking midfielders they need, Pogba not so much. He’s the ultimate luxury and that may well rule him out.