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Chelsea told that Arsenal target Paul Pogba will cost £40m
JUVENTUS have told Chelsea that they will have to pay about £40million for midfielder Paul Pogba.
But the Italians could still be ready to do business in January because they are aiming to fund a £15m raid for Aston Villa striker Christian Benteke.
Chelsea want to bring former Manchester United youngster Pogba back to English football, with manager Jose Mourinho keen to bring in a defensive midfielder.
Pogba, 20, who is also interesting Paris Saint-Germain, Arsenal and Real Madrid, has two and a half years left on his contract but has refused to commit to the new deal the club have offered him.
And Juventus team-mate Giorgio Chiellini believes it is foolish to think Pogba will stay at the Turin club.
"If someone wants to believe in fairytales and Father Christmas that’s his prerogative," said Chiellini.
"At the moment, Pogba is the biggest talent in international football in his position. If Juve do receive an obscenely high offer for him - just look at the price Bale went for.
"Paul is settled here and he’ll probably renew his contract, but you never know with the transfer market. Anything can happen.
"When a club is offered an obscene amount of money for a player it’s difficult to say no. No-one can promise that a player will never be sold. Every player has his price, that's just the way it is."
Juventus president Andrea Agnelli has already admitted the club face a losing battle to hold onto Pogba, revealing: "I don't think at the moment we have the strength to retain such a player.
"I am trying to think what will be of us in two or three years' time if we get a massive offer for one of the best talents we have today - Pogba, the French 20-year-old.
"Would we be able to retain him? I don't know."