Paul Pogba ‘is not worth £86 million’ says Paul Scholes

‘For that sort of money, you want someone like (Cristiano) Ronaldo or (Lionel) Messi’

France’s Paul Pogba looks on his way to the Premier League. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters
France’s Paul Pogba looks on his way to the Premier League. Photograph: Darren Staples/Reuters

Manchester United legend Paul Scholes has questioned his former club's pursuit of French midfielder Paul Pogba for a world transfer record fee.

The 23-year-old Juventus midfielder who struggled during the recent European Championships in Paris - has been subject to an £86 million (€100m) bid from the Old Trafford club, with a £100m plus offer reportedly in the pipeline.

But Scholes, who was a Manchester United player when Pogba was coming up through the ranks at the club - before departing for Italy on a free transfer - says such a fee outweighs the player’s ability.

“I just don’t think he is worth £86m. For that sort of money, you want someone who is going to score 50 goals a season like (Cristiano) Ronaldo or (Lionel) Messi,” Scholes told Sport Witness.

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“Pogba is nowhere worth that kind of money yet.”

The former English international remembers Pogba as a talented youngster breaking into the United squad.

“He was a very talented young player, I played with him and I knew how good he was.

“He played for the first team maybe once or twice, but from my understanding he was asking for too much money.

“For his age, he was asking for far too much money, that too for a player who hasn’t played first team football.

“Ok, he has gone on to great things. I think certainly there has been a lot of improvement. He needed to improve if he is going to be a player worth £86m.”