Paul Pogba rejected a move to Chelsea in the summer transfer window despite Juventus agreeing to sell the midfielder for £62m.
The reigning English champions had been heavily linked with the France international following their woeful start to the Premier League campaign, and were expected to submit an offer late on in the market to bolster their out-of-form midfield.
There had been reports that Juve would only be willing to let Pogba leave Turin if a world-record nine figure sum of £109m was lodged [via the Daily Express]; however, this has been rubbished in updated news from Italy. According to Gazzetta Dello Sport [via the Daily Mirror], the Serie A outfit had given the 22-year-old the green light on a £62m move to Stamford Bridge.
However, it’s said that Pogba wasn’t interested in a return to England, and swiftly rejected the opportunity.
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The Blues have taken just four points in as many games since the start of the new season, as they sit in 13th position – a worrying eight points off formidable leaders Manchester City.
Despite it being early on in their title-defending campaign, the concerning form of the likes of Cesc Fabregas, Nemanja Matic, Branislav Ivanovic, and even Eden Hazard, has left supporters fearful that Jose Mourinho’s men will struggle to compete with Manuel Pellegrini’s significantly strengthened side over the next nine months.
The addition of Pogba, who can contribute both defensively and offensively, might have been the kind of signing that could have galvanised Mourinho’s beleaguered Blues.