Reports are emerging that Pep Guardiola has said that Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba as well as Arsenal's Henrikh Mkyhitaryan were offered to him two months ago by super agent Mino Raiola.
Raiola recently took a swipe at Guardiola saying that the Catalan manager was a 'coward' and a 'dog' regarding his treatment of Zlatan Ibrahimovic while they were both at Barcelona, but Guardiola has now fought back revealing his surprise when the Italian super agent offered him two of the midfielders he represents:
Two months ago he offered me Mkhitaryan and Pogba to play with us. Why did he offer? He was interested in Mhikitarian and Pogba playing with us?
Guardiola sarcastically added that Raiola shouldn't bring his players to the former Barca boss because he is 'a dog' saying that the Italian has to 'protect his players'.
Guardiola was pressed further on his response to the thought of buying Pogba from United, but the City boss said that the Frenchman would cost too much to bring to the club:
Pogba is an incredible player. A top, top player…I said no. We don’t have the money enough to buy Pogba because he is so expensive.
Asked whether he would ever sign a player represented by Raiola, Guardiola, again doubled down on the sarcasm: “I am not a good guy. I am not a good guy. He deserves his players to play with better guys. But, he knows as well I am a top manager. Thank you.”
Incredible video! Guardiola says Mino Raiola offered Paul Pogba to Manchester City in January... also says dogs deserve to be treated with more respect... pic.twitter.com/eAw7hPpszw
— Sam Lee (@Sammy_Goal) April 6, 2018
There has been speculation about Paul Pogba's situation at Manchester United and this story does nothing to quell the exit talk surrounding the midfielder as the summer transfer window draws ever nearer. The timing of Guardiola's quotes in interesting given that City face off Pogba's United at the weekend in the 5.30 kick-off. City have the chance to win their third Premier League title at Old Trafford and with Guardiola's bombshell has definitely added another dimension to the tie.
