Pogba, Neymar and Griezmann showing the influence of player power in transfers

Pogba, Neymar and Griezmann showing the influence of player power in transfers

2 hours ago / autty

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With some of football's biggest names in dispute with their respective clubs, player power is well and truly in action this summer.

Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann and Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar have both failed to turn up for pre-season training. 

Paul Pogba has shown up for Manchester United's pre-season training, but there were also doubts as to whether he would stay for the full tour of Australia, Singapore and China.

"What we are seeing is player power in action with Neymar, Griezmann and Pogba," said Kaveh Solhekol, Sky Sports journalist.

"But what is interesting is you could say Manchester United are coming out of this quite well because they've not got someone not turning up for pre-season training.

"Pogba has had his say, his agent has said his bit and what Manchester United are saying is 'you're a Manchester United player, keep your mouth shut from now on and do what you are paid to do.

"Pogba seems to have done what he has been told but what else could he have done?

"If he didn't turn up for pre-season training, it would have been the 'nuclear' option so we have to give him a little bit of credit compared to what Neymar and Griezmann have done."

Pogba did turn up, but not so peaceful though - reports claim that he had an altercation with teammate Jesse Lingard on the very first day of the pre-season camp.

Why Pogba's situation is different to Neymar's and Griezmann's

Although all three players want moves away, the destination of Pogba is not as obvious as the other two with Barcelona heavily linked to both Neymar and Griezmann.

And Solhekol believes that is the main reason why Pogba isn't prepared to push the issue - yet.

"Manchester United are still in control of this situation as Paul Pogba has three years left on his contract," explained Solhekol.

"So if they don't want to sell him, they won't and if no one can meet the valuation of £150m he's going to have to remain a United player.

"He remains Zinedine Zidane's main transfer target but I'm not sure others at Real Madrid are as keen while Juventus are entirely focused on signing Matthijs de Ligt at the moment.

"He is simply keeping his options open."

As for Neymar and Griezmann…

The situation of Griezmann is much simpler. The player wants to leave, Atletico are ready to sell and Barcelona are willing to buy. The release clause is set at €120m and it will only be a matter of time.

But for Neymar, it will be a little more complicated. It is clear that Neymar wants to return to Barcelona, which both clubs have confirmed.

However, there are still too many uncertainties in his potential transfer. How much for the deal? Will Coutinho or Rakitic join the transfer as makeweights?

PSG spent €222m to bring Neymar to Paris in 2017, now they will only ask for more (could be players plus cash) if Barcelona want him back.

It has to be mentioned that there were several big transfers which turned ugly in the end in the past few years, and none of the players seems to enjoy their tenure at the new club.