Pogba £89m tag to feel like a bargain next summer, says Mourinho
The world-record transfer fee that Manchester United forked out for Paul Pogba will look like a bargain come summer, Jose Mourinho says.
The Red Devils had allowed the French midfielder to depart for Juventus on a free transfer in 2012 and paid £89m last summer to acquire him, but the Manchester United manager believes that the transfer market will change enough for Pogba to no longer be judged in this context.
"The scrutiny on him [Pogba] right now is hard but I am pretty sure that next summer some players with only half his quality probably will cost the same money or more, so I am waiting for that moment to release him from the scrutiny,” the Portuguese coach said at a press conference prior to Sunday’s FA Cup clash with Blackburn.
“A few years ago £25m was a phenomenal player. Today, £25m is not even a player, it is a prospect of a player,” Mourinho continued.
“Now if you want to buy a good prospect, a good 20-year-old player who can be fantastic, you are paying as if the player is already a big player.
“I think next summer can bring a few surprises at this level and probably Paul will lose his status as the world's most expensive player, which is probably a good thing."