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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Tom Blow

Juventus fans make feelings clear as Paul Pogba lands to seal free transfer return

Paul Pogba received a wonderful reception from Juventus supporters as he arrived in Turin ahead of his free transfer.

The World Cup winner, 29, is set to rejoin the Serie A side after his Manchester United contract expired last month. He is expected to sign a four-year deal at Juventus, where he won eight trophies - including four consecutive Serie A titles - between 2012 and 2016.

Pogba's career has stalled in recent years following his world record £89million move to United in the summer of 2016. He's won just two major honours at club level since - the Europa League and EFL Cup - and has only tasted success with France since May 2017.

Dozens of Juventus fans welcomed Pogba as he signed shirts and posed for selfies. The club's supporters seemed delighted to have their former hero back in Turin as they look to dominate Italian football again. Juventus haven't won Serie A since the 2019-20 term.

Pogba looked equally as happy to be back in Italy. He told Juventus fans "it's amazing to see you again" and will be hoping to rediscover his form in Turin. The midfielder was named the Golden Boy and in FIFA's World XI during his first spell at the club.

On leaving Juventus in 2016, Pogba said: "Juventus will always be a part of me and I will always miss, love and be grateful to the club, the team and especially the supporters. I hope you can respect my decision. The most beautiful part of friendship is to understand and be understood."

Paul Pogba was greeted by dozens of Juventus fans when he arrived in Turin (Alessandro Di Marco/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)

Will Paul Pogba be a success during his second spell at Juventus? Let us know in the comments below!

Pogba was urged to rejoin Juventus by his former team-mate Claudio Marchisio in November 2020 and it appears his wish is finally about to come true. "Please Paul Pogba, come to Juventus," tweeted Marchisio. "You will be happy again... me too!"

Although fans are excited to see Pogba back in Turin, former Juventus defender Fabio Cannavaro has questioned his performances at United. The Red Devils finished sixth in the Premier League last season, recording their lowest points tally (58) since 1989-90.

"Pogba to Juve? I hope to see the real Paul again, the one from the first Juventus experience," Cannavaro told Tuttomercatoweb via the Manchester Evening News. "He has to find the reasons. The midfielder of recent seasons is of no use to Juventus or France."

Pogba is expected to be formally announced as a Juventus player in the coming days (Getty Images)

But Pogba's former team-mate Patrice Evra has defended his second spell at United. "It's time to go, good luck to him but it's sad because Paul loves United," said Red Devils icon Evra in May. "He was even in depression but Paul was always the scapegoat.

"But he could've been more consistent, he also has to take some responsibility. But I think it's unfair and I think people have been too harsh on him."

Juventus will compete in the Champions League during the upcoming season after finishing fourth in Serie A last term. Massimiliano Allegri's side start their league campaign at home to Sassuolo on August 15 with Pogba expected to be involved.

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