Revealed:Why Man Utd are facing pressure from Adidas over Paul Pogba transfer
Football
By
Mirror
| Jun 23, 2019
Manchester United are under pressure from headline sponsor Adidas to keep Paul Pogba – or replace him with a stellar signing.
The German kit supplier penned a mega ten year £750 million deal with United in 2015 to help with the global promotion of their famous three-stripe brand.
Part of the deal was for Adidas to use United's biggest stars to front advertising campaigns in key markets like Asia as well as Europe and the USA.
But Adidas are concerned the loss of French World Cup winner Pogba to either Real Madrid or Juventus this summer will strip United of the kind of iconic star to help drive their brand.
When Adidas agreed their £75million-a-season deal, Wayne Rooney was the main man at Old Trafford and still a big name.
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But if Pogba leaves this summer and isn't replaced, United will be bereft of any players of genuine world-wide status – apart, perhaps, from goalkeeper David de Gea who himself is in contract dispute and may leave.
The 26-year-old midfielder – valued at £160million by United's moneymen - is himself a global ambassador and elite athlete for Adidas.
And on a promotional visit to Japan with Adidas a week ago he suggested his time at Old Trafford might be coming to end.
Pogba, who re-joined United from Juventus in a club record £89 million deal in 2016, has two years left on his contract.
United hold the option of a further year that could take him to June 2022 if it was activated but after being refused a move to Barcelona last summer it's uncertain how long the club can continue to insist he stays.
That's a concern for Adidas in their deal with United.
Pogba will continue to be one of their chief brand ambassadors wherever he moves but the kit supplier believe it would leave them missing the big name “face” at United that their huge outlay demands.
That's placed executive vice chairman Ed Woodward under increasing pressure to resolve Pogba's future with him staying – or finding the huge star name to replace him.