Boss on why Crewe didn't stand in forward's way after he expressed a desire to leave for Italy

Steve Davis has revealed that he had planned to have Mathias Pogba in and around his Crewe Alexandra team this season and that a move to Italy arrived out of the blue. Pogba, 23, is currently in Italy negotiating personal terms after Crewe Alexandra accepted a bid from Serie B side Pescara Calcio on Saturday evening.

Davis has stressed his disappointment in losing another striker so close to the start of the new season, but is adamant that he only wants players here with that desire to represent the club.

Steve told crewealex.net: “The timing could have been better in regards to Mathias expressing a desire to move to Italy, but these things can happen in football. Sometimes things come out of the blue like that and you just have to accept it and move on.

“It did come out of nowhere and we were a bit surprised, but we have conducted some good business and made a tidy profit on someone who would have walked out for nothing next summer.

“He came to us and expressed a desire to have a fresh challenge abroad and although we had planned for him to be here, I don’t want players who don’t want to be here and play for this club. It is better that they move on because we would have an unhappy player for 12 months and then he would have walked out for free. I don't want that negative vibe amongst the squad.

“Pogba has played his part here. We plucked him from non-league from Wrexham and he scored 16 goals in his first season and did very well. He had his injury last season but came back to help us towards the end of the season. We wish him all the best.

“I think we have improved him over the last couple of years and have made a healthy profit on him. His departure will give others a chance and we will continue our search for more attacking options.

The boss added: “We have made a profit on Pogba and freed up his wages so now is the aim to get someone in who is better.”