Paul Pogba headed to Juventus?

It seems as though Manchester United have lost the battle to keep talented teenager Paul Pogba at the club. The Independent reports that Italian giants Juventus have snapped the Frenchman up on a four year contact.

Ferguson had made public pleas to both Pogba and Ravel Morrison – another member of last season's Youth Cup-winning side described by Paul Scholes as United's best since the fabled side of 1992 – to put their careers before money but the 18-year-old French player has been undeterred and his departure this summer now means United will secure only around £300,000 "training compensation". The deal will also secure £1.6m commission for Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola. The agent's demands are understood to have been a particular sticking point in negotiations.

So, in this deal Pogba's agent will pocket a "reasonable" £1.6M (Pocket money for you and I). And United will net just £300,000. What is more of a concern to the club is the exit of another talented youngster, as Pogba follows Ravel Morrison who went to West Ham on transfer deadline day. And Ezekiel Fryers, the promising defender who has made a handful of appearances for the first team this year, is also stalling on a new deal. Why is arguably the biggest club in the world unable to keep hold of it's best youngsters anymore?

Greed of the players. Greed of the agents. In particular the agents. The linked reports suggest's that Mino Raiola's fee was a real sticking point in negotiations between club and player. Too right too. Why the hell should he be paid over a million and a half?

If Pogba doesn't want to play for us. Fine. Good. We don't want you, or need you. No player is bigger than our club, certainly not some snotty nosed greedy teenager.

As soon as this news is confirmed, The Busby Babe will let you know. Surely, it is only a matter of time that it becomes official.