Manchester United just broke the transfer record with the signing of Paul Pogba from Juventus for £93.2million. Jose Mourinho made the point that although that fee seems like crazy money now, in the grand scheme of things it should prove to be cash well spent.
In theory, the rapidly inflating funds in football will mean that a player like Pogba, at only 23 years old, could be worth triple the amount United paid in five years’ time. Even though the French international has helped steer Juventus to four Serie A titles already, it would be wise to assume that his best years are still ahead of him, and he can elevate himself to become one of the best in the world in the next few years.
Pogba’s signing could also help United reclaim their status as one of the top teams in Europe, which would boost capital even further. The Red Devils are already at the pinnacle in Europe in terms of revenue from sponsorship deals, with the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid trailing behind.
The new United arrival’s age is a crucial factor as to why the club spent so much money on him. Not only do club officials expect the Euro 2016 finalist to become the best midfielder in the world, they also envisage him being in the game for at least ten more years. Age can influence market value severely, and this can be illustrated when comparing Pogba with his former teammate, Arturo Vidal.
Vidal was also touted as one of the best in his position, and he played a pivotal role in Juventus’ recent glory and their exceptional run in the Champions League in 2015. This led Bayern Munich to pay £25.5million for the player the following summer. This seems like small change in comparison to Pogba, for a player who helped guide the side to the Bundesliga title last season. He will be crucial to Bayern Munich for a few more years, and at the time of writing, the Bavarian club are well favoured in the Bundesliga betting to retain their honours.
The thing is, though, that Vidal is 29 years old. He may have around three or four good years left in him and could well see out his career at the German club. That is where the difference lies. It is unlikely that Bayern Munich will be able to sell Vidal on for more than they paid for him. But Pogba could win trophies for United for five years and be sold at a profit as well.
Some think that the money United paid for Pogba is crazy. Especially seeing as the 23-year-old was allowed to leave Old Trafford for free four years ago. In the short term the price is steep, but looking at the bigger picture it will be justified. The trophies he will help the club win, paired with inflation and a rise in the player’s market value, mean that the £93million signing could actually turn out to be a shrewd investment.
