Paul Pogba's time at Manchester United appears to be up barring a miraculous turnaround but the recent passing of Mino Raiola means someone else must step in to negotiate the player's next move.
That is where one Rafaela Pimenta comes in. She worked alongside the super agent for 18 years and is poised to take on what the Italian left behind. Pimenta, who qualified as a lawyer, helped Rivaldo and Cesar Sampaio set up Guaratinguetà, a small club in the state of Sao Paulo, earlier in her career.
It was whilst she worked for the Brazilian side that she met Raiola. Pimenta went on to become one of his closest aides, moving to Monte Carlo to work with the Italian. Her ability to speak six language enabled her to negotiate the transfer market effectively.
Raiola handed Pimenta shares in his One agency, underlining his belief in her and now she is poised to pick up where what he'd formed, handling negotiations for his clients, which includes Pogba and Erling Haaland. The Frenchman faces an uncertain future with his contract soon up.
United shelved contract talks earlier in the season and it has long looked as though the club's £89m record signing would move on for nothing. His time at Old Trafford has been mixed with flashes of his brilliance overshadowed by his inconsistency and the lack of success on the pitch.
Pogba's likely destinations appear to be Juventus, Real Madrid or PSG. It was at the Italian side that he first made his name and he could team up once again with Max Allegri if he returned to Turin. His representatives met the Serie A giants regarding a potential move.
PSG and Madrid also have their own attractions. Los Blancos president Florentino Perez has always wanted to add big names and Pogba would fit the bill and is available for nothing, with his wage demands not an issue. Red Devils interim boss Ralf Rangnick confessed recently that the player was poised to leave.
He said: “As it seems right now, he will not renew his contract and, I don’t know, maybe the club or (incoming boss) Erik (Ten Hag) will also not want to renew the contract. I don’t know. But it’s most likely that he won’t be here anymore next season.”
Incoming manager Erik ten Hag could look to resolve the issue having started work in Manchester. A last ditch effort to secure the World Cup winner for several more years would be a major early win, if he feels the player can suit his system and philosophy.
