Why Tevez holds the key to Pogba’s future

The Old Lady do not want to lose both of their key players in the same transfer window, so their top scorer could have a big say in the Frenchman's potential sale

May 13, 2015 09:00:00

By Kris Voakes | International Football Correspondent
He is back. But for how long?
Paul Pogba’s successful return to action at the weekend for Juventus against Cagliari has teed up a potential appearance in Wednesday’s crucial Champions League semi-final decider at Real Madrid. Yet the Frenchman’s future has never looked more likely to lie away from Turin, with the Old Lady’s European opponents one of a number of clubs looking to end his spell in Italy.
Paris Saint-Germain, Barcelona, Manchester City and Chelsea have joined the Blancos in the
headlines as the leading candidates for Pogba’s signature. Indeed the French giants have already been encouraged to spend €80 million on the 2014 World Cup star. It would appear the Italians have conceded defeat in their fight to keep the 22-year-old.

When director-general Beppe Marotta was quizzed byRai recently, he chose his words very carefully.

“Pogba has not demanded a transfer. He is the best young player in the world and it is only normal that some of Europe's biggest clubs want to sign him,” he said.

“But Juventus are a big club as well and we are not a selling club.

“Juventus have sold very few outstanding players over the years and at the moment there are no conditions for us to put Pogba out there on the transfer market.”

Saying Juve are not a selling club and that there are no conditions in place to put him on the market are accepted football code for “come in with your biggest bid.” Adding that he is such a great talent and basically linking the continent’s giants with his signature is tantamount to sparking an auction.


As denials go this simply didn’t hit the mark, and the only nagging doubt in the Italian champions’ minds at this point appears to be the lure of more money.

There is a clear belief in Turin that they could collect even more on their primary cash cow in the summer of 2016 if he performs well for the host nation at the European Championship in France.

Yet the Old Lady’s excellent recent record hasn’t helped the case for keeping Pogba in the face of a huge bid this summer.

Without the former Manchester United youth star in their line-up since mid-March they have extended their domination of the Serie A table, qualified for the Coppa Italia final and moved to within 90 minutes of the Champions League showpiece. While there can be no doubting that Pogba adds an extra something to Juve’s ranks, nobody can now claim that he is of paramount importance to their success.

One underlying issue which could yet have a huge say on the timing of Pogba’s departure is the Carlos Tevez situation.

The Argentine has long been linked with a potential return to Boca Juniors this summer after already telling Juventus that he will not sign another contract beyond his current 2016 deal. He will return to his former club, it is just a case of when.

“I don't know if I will leave. I've not yet decided what to do,” said Tevez recently when asked about a 2015 exit.

“But it's not right to speak about it now and the Bianconeri fans will be the first to know what I decide.”

He has since moved to allay fears that he will leave, but club officials are still worried that he could move home a year early. Losing one of Pogba and Tevez they can just about deal with. Losing both would leave many fans fearing for the future.


Plans are in place for potential replacements to plug the gaps, with Axel Witsel and Paulo Dybala heading lengthy target lists for the two positions, but there is a feeling around the Juventus circuit that they would rather only lose one of their two main men.

There is always the chance they will lose more big names too, with Andrea Pirlo having already stated that he will leave if Juve win the Champions League. As time goes on, the Old Lady's need to take on a new young look increases. But in the shorter term, the main concerns centre around Pogba and Tevez.

As it stands, they would rather lose Pogba. Tevez’s 29 goals would be harder to replace, and the midfielder would represent a far more lucrative sale. While Boca would be hopeful of re-signing Tevez for as little as €5m, even an €80m offer for the Frenchman might not be enough.

All things considered, Tevez could well hold the key to Pogba’s future. If the 31-year-old insists on returning to his homeland, Juve may well do everything they can to hold on to Pogba for one more year. No pressure, Carlos!