Manchester rivals raise the stakes
Print Edition
EMERGING from the shadows, Paul Pogba — a red devil emblazoned on the side of his head — removed his hood, looked straight into the camera and uttered the words Manchester United fans had been waiting to hear: “I’m back.”
With that 26-second video teaser released by United early yesterday, the France midfielder became the world’s most expensive footballer at around 105 million euros (US$116 million) and England’s biggest club made another statement of intent during its latest offseason of heavy spending that moved close to US$200 million.
“I just went for a holiday,” said Pogba, who left United at age 19 for Juventus four years ago, virtually for nothing when his first contract expired. “I’ve come back home.”
This was the new United at work: Breaking the world transfer record and announcing the signing after midnight local time to suit foreign audiences. A series of glitzy videos included one with a grime artist where Pogba produces some impressive dance moves.
United will hope the 23-year-old saves his best work for the football field, though. And he’s certainly dreaming big in his new era for the club under Jose Mourinho.
“First of all, win the league for the first time with United because I hadn’t won the league when I left,” Pogba said. “The Champions League of course and, personally, one of my dreams is to win the Ballon d’Or.
“That will come with time hopefully, but first the Premier League — I’ve never done it.”
United has missed out on some of its No. 1 transfer targets in previous offseasons — notably Gareth Bale and Cesc Fabregas in 2013 — but was determined to push this one through, even if it meant paying a fee widely regarded as overpriced.
Pogba is United’s fourth signing since Mourinho replaced Louis van Gaal as coach of the record 20-time English champion.
United is one of the few clubs in the world that could afford this outlay, though. And if Pogba can help the team return to the top of the English and European game after lean years since Alex Ferguson’s retirement in 2013, it will be money well spent.
Meanwhile, John Stones became the second most expensive defender in football history yesterday, joining United’s Manchester rival City for 47.5 million pounds (US$62 million) as the latest solution to the club’s defensive issues.
Embarrassingly for City, the club was beaten to the announcement of its latest high-profile signing by UEFA, which listed Stones in the English team’s squad for the Champions League playoff round about 45 minutes before City tweeted the center back had joined.
Stones, who inked a six-year deal, is second behind David Luiz in the all-time list of the most expensive defenders — despite not being a regular at Everton last season. Brazil’s Luiz joined Paris Saint-Germain from Chelsea for 50 million pounds in 2014.
City regards Stones as one of the best young defenders in Europe and was keen to make another expensive bid to improve its back line, after spending about 60 million pounds on Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi over the past two seasons.
“I know it will be tough getting a place in this team,” the 22-year-old Stones said, “but I’m determined to become the best player I can be and help us to success.”
Stones is City’s eighth signing under new coach Pep Guardiola, taking its offseason spending to around US$200 million.
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