Medhi Benatia says his friend Paul Pogba is “very attached” to Juventus – “we hope he’ll stay”.
The midfielder is being linked with a world-record move to Manchester United, though the Bianconeri are playing hardball over the fee.
“Paul is a friend of mine,” Benatia, who joined the Old Lady this summer, told Tuttosport.
“He’s very attached to this club, despite the fact that there’s talk of his departure every year. I don’t know if he’ll leave, but we hope he stays.
Medhi Benatia says his friend Paul Pogba is “very attached” to Juventus – “we hope he’ll stay”.
The midfielder is being linked with a world-record move to Manchester United, though the Bianconeri are playing hardball over the fee.
“Paul is a friend of mine,” Benatia, who joined the Old Lady this summer, told Tuttosport.
“He’s very attached to this club, despite the fact that there’s talk of his departure every year. I don’t know if he’ll leave, but we hope he stays.
“He’s a great player, he can help us in the Champions League. If the club decides to sell and he wants to leave, I’ll wish him good luck.
“I can only hope Paul makes the right choice.”
Juve have made no secret of the fact they’re pursuing the Champions League this year, and Benatia believes it’s a realistic target.
“Juventus were already very strong and equipped to win the trophy, so much so that two seasons ago they got to the final and last year they didn’t deserve to go out in the Last 16 agains Bayern [Munich].
“With my friend Mire [Miralem Pjanic] this team will become even more poweful.
“I’ve known him since my days at Roma, but there’s not only him, I get along well with everyone. I’m happy to have found [Kwadwo] Asamoah here after the experience at Udinese, and the same goes for [Roberto] Pereyra.
“Mire told me he wasn’t sure I was coming, because I had a lot of offers and whenever he called me I couldn’t say I’d signed anything.
“But I was thinking and Juventus interested me. I’m happy for him and I hope he has a great season.”
Finally, the centre-back was asked about another new signing, Marko Pjaca, and the potential arrival of Gonzalo Higuain from Napoli.
“They’re very valuable players,” Benatia noted.
“One is young and talented, the other has already done great things in his career. [Coach Max] Allegri has said it: If the club wants him and the Argentine is willing to come, he’d be welcome and he’d help us win.
“That said, we shouldn't think as though we’re already champions of Italy and the path is smooth – it’s not.”