Paul Pogba Contract Delay Gives Chelsea and Bayern Munich Hope

Paul Pogba has reportedly stalled on signing a new bumper deal at Juventus, alerting Chelsea and Bayern Munich to the impasse.

Pogba has become one of the most promising young footballers in the game since moving from Manchester United to Juve in 2012 after Sir Alex Ferguson claimed he had disrespected the club.

But that decision appears to have backfired after Pogba became a key player for the Turin club as they claimed back-to-back Scudettos and the 21-year-old was named the best young player in Europe.

His performances drew the attention of United, who under David Moyes wanted to take him back to Old Trafford, Chelsea and Bayern.

While United's interest has waned, Chelsea and Bayern remain keen on the France international and have received a boost after Pogba reportedly delayed signing a new long-term deal at the 'Bianconeri'.

French publication L'Equipe claimed Pogba is yet to sign a new deal that would tie him down at Juventus until 2019 and earn him €5m (£4m) a year net.

It quotes a member of his entourage saying no discussions have taken place, adding the days before the close of the transfer window were "important".

While Juventus remain confident they can persuade Pogba to sign the new deal, admirers Chelsea and Bayern could be tempted to take advantage of the situation while the midfielder has just 18 months remaining on his current contract.

The Bavarian club continue to thrash out a deal with Roma for reputed Chelsea target Mehdi Benatia.

Club chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge has been deliberately coy about the transfer but Bayern are now close to landing Benatia.

United had also been interested in the 27-year-old Moroccan defender but appear to have cooled after completing the signing of Marcos Rojo.