Paul Pogba set to leave Manchester United on a free transfer for a second time after rejecting new contract

Paul Pogba has rejected a new contract to stay at Manchester United and will walk away from Old Trafford on a free next summer, according to reports.

The Frenchman is entering the sixth and final year of his deal at the Theatre of Dreams, which he signed in 2016 when United made him the then-most expensive player in the world.

United are keen to keep Pogba but negotiations over a new deal have been slow and the Frenchman rejected the club’s latest offer.

While discussions will continue, United are now resigned to losing Pogba on a free transfer in 2022 and they see little value in cashing in during the January transfer window.

Pogba’s future has been simplified in one sense by Lionel Messi’s move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The Ligue 1 giants were keen on signing Pogba this summer and had been preparing a £40m bid for the midfielder after lengthy discussions with his representatives.

However, Mauricio Pochettino’s side can no longer afford to sign Pogba this summer.

It means Pogba is likely to allow his contract to run down in order to join the Parisians next summer on a free transfer.

It will be the second time that Pogba has left United on a free transfer following his departure to Juventus in 2016.