With Andrea Pirlo set to extend his contract with Juventus, the club will soon focus their attentions on cementing the future of fellow midfielder Paul Pogba should his much speculated departure from Italy become a reality this summer. If this did happen, it could have disastrous consequences for them and Serie A itself.
Although the 20-year-old has reiterated his contentment at the reigning champions on more than one occasion since his rapid ascent as the world’s leading young player, the previous admission of president Andrea Agnelli that they would not have the economic strength to decline a massive bid continues to give hope to potential suitors.
According to reports in Italy, talks are underway with the Frenchman to increase his annual salary to €4m-a-year, putting him alongside some of Serie A’s top earners. Yet with cash-rich Paris Saint-German leading the clubs willing to offer around double that to secure his signature, a far bigger payday is insight.
However, to assume that the youngsters head would be turned simply by the riches on offer would be somewhat unfair after the former Le Harve prodigy, so confident of his own ability, demonstrating a willingness to put football ahead of finances. He has already turned his back on Manchester United after failing to receive assurances of first-team opportunities from Sir Alex Ferguson.
Ironically the Scot had actually warned that holding him back would ultimately harm his development then restricted Pogba to just seven appearances in all competitions during his final season. A year later he had featured in 37 games for the Bianconeri (scoring seven times), and helped the club to a second consecutive Scudetto.
With the Old Lady in pole position to take a third, but showing little sign of improving their Champions League aspirations, it could be footballing ambitions that see the midfielder seek pastures new, either for the challenge of a new league or European glory.
His departure from the peninsula would be a hammer blow for Juventus and Serie A. Despite forming a formidable trio alongside Pirlo and the equally impressive Arturo Vidal, there was a serious need for greater attacking creativity during their Champions League campaign.
In an ideal world this would arrive in the shape of Chelsea’s Juan Mata, supremely gifted but seemingly available since being relegated to the Stamford Bridge bench. However, the potential loss of a talent like Pogba would surely make the Spaniard and others like him doubt moving to Serie A.
Not since Kaka first burst onto the scene and played out his best years at AC Milan have Serie A had a player so evidently on course to reach the top of the world game thus able to increase exposure and commercial appeal.
Although in the last 12 months two leading stars have arrived, Carlos Tevez joining Pogba in Turin and Mario Balotelli to AC Milan before him, it could be argued that the duo did so after ruining chances of remaining in England and were not seen as suitable options for the two Spanish clubs who could afford them, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
Many will admit that the financial advantage other leagues have over Serie A mean that attracting Europe’s finest will remain an issue regardless of Pogba’s future, but the bigger problem must be the continual exodus of stars to foreign shores.
Could teammate Vidal question his future when he is no doubt targeted by the likes of Manchester United and Bayern Munich, or Napoli’s Marek Hamsik and Gonzalo Higuain? Worse still, Italian internationals Daniele De Rossi and Giuseppe Rossi.
Although Serie A is relatively powerless to stop such a fallout, Juventus on the other hand can with the Frenchman contracted until 2016. Yet you feel they would also advocate the benefit of an extremely healthy bank balance should both Pogba and/or Vidal depart next summer.
Would they be confident of another Scudetto challenge with an ageing Pirlo and two untried newcomers supporting him in the heart of the Bianconeri midfield come next season? It would certainly be difficult to find another gem like Pogba again or convince anyone of equal ability to arrive.
Follow Kevin Pogorzelski on Twitter: @rabbitrabbiton
