Man Utd star Pogba is Allegri’s dream signing at Juventus

Robin Bairner

• Updated: 6 Jun 2021 13:09 BST
• 4 min read

Massimiliano Allegri has reportedly named Manchester United star Paul Pogba as his dream signing for Juventus this summer.

The results of a meeting between Allegri and the Juventus hierarchy have been documented by Il Corriere dello Sport, with the club keen to get the returning coach’s approval on key transfer business for players coming in and heading out.

READ MORE: Aguero turned down a bumper Juve contract

A top signing in midfield was identified as a priority by Allegri.

Securing a Juve return for Pogba, who has one year left on his Man Utd contract, is a prospect Allegri was reportedly very keen on if it can be achieved.

United are desperate for Pogba to stay, while PSG and Real Madrid have also been linked with the World Cup winner, who enjoyed one of his better seasons at Old Trafford in 2020/21. Multiple interested parties is a dream scenario for his agent Mino Raiola.

While such a move would not come cheap, the transfer fee would be expected to come in below the €100m Juve got for him in 2016 due to Pogba’s contract situation and the state of the global market.

Another former Juve player, Miralem Pjanic, is another option. He could be pursued on loan after his switch to Barcelona in the deal involving Arthur did not work out last season.

Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli is also a target in the position, though Juve will face competition and a bidding war from some other top clubs, including those from the Premier League, for the 23-year-old.

What about Ronaldo?

The future of Cristiano Ronaldo, who has been linked with PSG and Manchester United, remains a huge talking point this summer, with a final decision from the player expected after Euro 2020.

Allegri is reportedly open to selling the star forward, particularly given the club’s financial difficulties and their early Champions League exit last season.

Among other attacking options for Juve, Paulo Dybala is in talks over a new deal and Alvaro Morata is expected to return, but they have also been linked with Dusan Vlahovic and Mauro Icardi.

Fiorentina are determined to keep hold of Vlahovic, who scored 21 goals in Serie A last season.

Former Inter captain Icardi, meanwhile, could even be used in a deal involving Ronaldo after only starting 25 Ligue 1 games in two seasons for PSG.

Gianluigi Donnarumma is a target in goal as Allegri reshapes his squad, though the head coach would be happy to continue with Wojciech Szczesny if the move does not materialise.