LONDON, Sporting Alert – Former Arsenal and France midfielder Emmanuel Petit has warned Manchester United that they would be wasting money if they spend pay £100million for Paul Pogba.
It is being strongly reported in the media that Man United are planning to make a bid for Pogba after Real Madrid decided to end their pursuit of the Frenchman.
But Petit, who won the World Cup title and Premier League in 1998 and European crown in 2000, believes Pogba would be a ‘waste of money’ if he cost the Red Devils a world record fee.
“They say £100m…..it is a waste of money for me,” Petit was quoted as telling Yahoo Sport. “Pogba has a great future, but this move is too early for him.
“I don’t like the situation around him all the time. We are making him out to be a big star, but he is not a big star to me.
“He hasn’t reached the level of the Champions League yet or the level with the national team. I am pretty sure he can do it, but this is too early for him.”
Petit noted that Real Madrid never hold back on spending to buy any player when they feel they are worth the value, so it must be a reason why the Spanish giants have opted to pull away from signing the 23-year-old.
“People talk about him all the time in the press, but I haven’t seen it yet. For the moment, I am not really convinced,” added Petit.
“If Real Madrid wanted this player, they would put the money on the table, but they don’t want to fight with Man United for Pogba. There is a reason for that.”
Petit comments echoed that of Liverpool and England former striker Robbie Fowler, who also suggested that Pogba isn’t worth £100m.
Fowler believes the Juventus midfielder is ‘massively overrated.’
‘Manchester United’s pursuit of Paul Pogba is a case of them showing their teeth… because they can,’ Fowler said in The Mirror.
“It is a massive statement of intent from the most financially powerful club in the world, designed, I suspect, to show they still have plenty of bite in the transfer market.
“But £100m? C’mon. I’m sorry, but Pogba is massively overrated.”
Pogba has been one of the most talked about and targeted midfielders across Europe in the last couple of seasons, but Fowler thinks he still has work to do, especially in Champions League and the with the France national team.
He added: “Look, he must be a good player because so many people in the game speak about his qualities and you don’t get to the top in Italy without having talent.
“I just don’t see it. He hasn’t really stood out in Europe and most certainly not at these European Championships.
“He’s done OK against pretty limited opposition for France, but what does he bring?
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