Man Utd target Paul Pogba not worth £86m, says Paul Scholes

By Claire Corkery

Image: Paul Scholes thinks France midfielder Paul Pogba is not worth a world-record transfer fee

Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Scholes has questioned whether the club should spend so much on Paul Pogba, arguing the Juventus star is not in the same league as Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi.

Sky in Italy understand that Manchester United had an £85m bid for their former player rejected by Juventus on Tuesday. 

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However, United have reportedly been told by the Italian champions that a transfer fee in excess of £100m for the France midfielder would be accepted.

Scholes, who departed United in 2013, saw Pogba's potential as a teenager at the club but believes the 23-year-old is not worth a world-record fee. 

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"He was a very talented young player, I played with him and I knew how good he was," said Scholes, who is playing in a futsal tournament in India. 

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"I just don't think he is worth £86m. For that sort of money, you want someone who is going to score 50 goals a season like Ronaldo or Messi. Pogba is nowhere near there yet."

Image: Scholes knew Pogba from when he was a young player at United

But Scholes also praised Manchester City's capture of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan for a reported fee of around £21m.

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"I think Gundogan is a really impressive player," Scholes told SportWitness. "I've seen a lot of him at Borussia Dortmund.

Image: Man City have got themselves a 'bargain' in the shape of £20m Ilkay Gundogan, says Scholes

"If he can stay fit, I think he can be a fantastic player. I also think he is great value for the money Manchester City paid for him. I think he is a bargain."

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