Football agent Mino Raiola has earned the ire of fans and club officials alike for his actions over the years. However, hasn’t stopped the Italian agent from giving explosive interviews. He dropped big hints for his clients – Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba – in a recent conversation.
In yet another explosive interview – which is bound to irritate club officials across Europe – football agent Mino Raiola spoke about the futures of several of his clients. The topics of discussion included Real Madrid and Barcelona’s interest in Erling Haaland and Paul Pogba’s next destination, among other things.
Speaking to Spanish media outlet AS, Raiola gave an update on the future of his client, Haaland. Raiola facilitated Haaland’s move to Borussia Dortmund in January 2020, with the German club eyed as a stepping stone towards something much bigger. Several reports have since claimed that a clause in Haaland’s Dortmund contract, which comes into effect in 2022, could allow the player to leave for just 75 million. However, the clubs that hope to jump ahead of the queue to sign him this year will have to pay a reported 180 million fee.
It is assumed that neither Real Madrid nor Barcelona can afford to pay a fee of that magnitude, given the massive debts the two clubs have accumulated. However, Raiola dismissed those concerns during the interview, leaving the door open to a possible move to Real Madrid this summer.
“I don’t know because I didn’t study your finances. But I believe yes. I think everyone can afford (him). But the question is another: can Madrid afford not to buy Haaland? And Barça?”
Raiola said.
Meanwhile, Haaland’s agent claimed that a deal is more complicated for Barcelona, albeit not impossible. He presented his client as an opportunity that clubs cannot afford to miss out on.
Haaland wasn’t the only client Raiola spoke about in his interview. The Italian also talked regarding the future of Manchester United star Paul Pogba, who continues to be linked with moves away from the club. The Frenchman has been linked with a move to Real Madrid in the past, who are coached by his countryman and idol (as per Raiola) – Zinedine Zidane.
“With Pogba, the important thing now is to know what United wants, what project they propose to Pogba. Pogba is interested in one thing, winning the Champions League and winning titles, and we are going to see where this is possible, if at United or at other clubs,”
“At one time Pogba felt a lot of love and trust from United, and there were several other clubs… Later, it is very difficult for United and Madrid to understand each other for a great transfer, because strong clubs do not want to sell strong players to other strong clubs,”
“And I’m not going to fool him, for Pogba playing for Madrid was always a very attractive thing (because of) Zidane too. He was his idol as a young man.”
he said.
When quizzed about Pogba’s potential move to Real Madrid next summer, the football agent revealed that he does not know what will happen. However, he suggested that any move can go ahead as long as all the parties concerned are flexible.
Pogba joined Manchester United in 2016 in a world record fee from Juventus. The Frenchman returned to the club, where he spent two years as a youth prospect after departing for Italy in search of better opportunities. He has since made almost two hundred appearances for the Red Devils over a span of five seasons and has won an EFL Cup and a UEFA Europa League trophy.
