Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is hoping the club can find an agreement with Paul Pogba to extend his contract amid continued reports over his long-term future at Old Trafford.
The midfielder is currently under contract at United until next summer, with the club having an option to extend for a further year. His agent Mino Raiola had been fueling speculation of a transfer away, with Pogba tipped for a move away from the Premier League side.
However, Solksjaer is hopeful the Frenchman will agree to extend his stay with his boyhood club beyond his current deal.
“I can’t comment on discussions between players and the clubs but of course we want to keep the best players around the club,” Solskjaer replied when asked if Pogba would be getting a new contract. “We want to build a squad for the future. Scott [McTominay] and Nemanja [Matic] are similar in position but they are at different stages in their careers. One is at the start, one really experienced, and then we also need players in that mid-range group.
“Hopefully we can do something. I know that since Paul came back he is looking better and better, he is enjoying his football and let’s see where it takes us.”
The picture of how the transfer window will unfold is yet to be seen clearly, but the Norwegian has reiterated on several occasions that business would not return normal as it used to be due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The value of players are likely to go down with the transfer of Leroy Sane to Bayern Munich for £44.7 million given a good sign. And Solksjaer claims the deal shows there will be realism when the window opens.
“I think the whole world has changed both financially and the perception we have on values,” Solskjaer said. “Every time I put a case in front of Ed (Woodward) I think it’s a sensible and realistic one.
“I think I have proven that I have always got the club in the front of my mind, I want the best for the club. I don’t think short term and I don’t think personally this would fit me for a short period of time. I always think long term and try to be making good deals and I am always quite careful with money, personal money as well.”
