Mino Raiola responds to Pep Guardiola claims he offered Paul Pogba to Manchester City

Mino Raiola has confirmed he offered Manchester United star Paul Pogba to rivals Manchester City in January.

City boss Pep Guardiola claimed during his Friday press conference that he was handed the opportunity to sign United pair Pogba and Henrikh Mhkitaryan during the transfer window.

Mhkitaryan subsequently moved to Arsenal in a swap deal with Alexis Sanchez switching to Old Trafford, while Pogba remained at the Red Devils, where he has been at loggerheads with Jose Mourinho.

“Finally, the people discover my secrets, I’m a bad guy, I’m a coward,” said Guardiola sarcastically ahead of Saturday’s Manchester Derby.

“I don’t understand why I am such a bad guy. But being this guy, two months ago he offered me Mkhitaryan and Pogba to play with us. Why?

“Why did he offer them? He was interested in Mkhitaryan and Pogba playing with us.

“Pogba is an incredible player. A top, top player.

“I said no. We don’t have the money enough to buy Pogba because he is so expensive.”

And super agent Raiola has backed up his claims – while taking a pop at the former Barcelona chief.

“I never spoke to him. And that I offer players not to him but to Manchester City,” Raiola said.

“Which is a fantastic club with a fantastic manager.

“Who I talk about I will not comment, that I leave to the club’s responsibility and account.”

Within minutes of Guardiola’s quotes being released, Pogba took to Instagram to reply to the claims.

Pogba posted an image from training where he has his hands cupped to his ear along with the seemingly disbelieving caption: “Say what?”

Guardiola’s claims will further strain Mourinho’s relationship with Pogba and the Blues chief says he was surprised by Raiola’s offer when the Italian had said he didn’t want this players working with him.

“I’m surprised because I am a dog!” he said. “I am not a good guy. He deserves his players to play with better guys.

“But he knows as well that I am a top manager. Thank you.”