Gerard Pique has opened the door for Paul Pogba to join Barcelona, amid widespread speculation linking him to a Manchester United exit.
In an interview with Spanish publication Sport, Gerard Pique has gone on to state that Barcelona would welcome Paul Pogba with open arms. The rumour mill has been rife with reports linking the Frenchman with a move away from Manchester United, with the La Liga champions the favourites to sign him.
It is all starting to go pear shaped for Paul Pogba and Manchester United. Two summers ago, when the Frenchman rejoined the Red Devils in a then-world record transfer, there was a feeling that the club was finally taking the big decisions to return to the top of English and European football.
It has only taken two seasons for much of those feelings to dissipate. Pogba has reportedly clashed with Jose Mourinho, and the relationship between the player and the manager is anything but cordial. Quite naturally, speculation has given way to a possible exit from Manchester United, with Barcelona reportedly interested in him.
Rumour was also rife about a shock bid being lodged by the Catalans, which was swiftly declined by Manchester United. Barcelona though, continue to show interest in the Frenchman, although a move has reportedly been put off till next summer.
But, former Manchester United defender Gerard Pique, now at Barcelona, has talked up Blaugrana’s interest in the 25-year-old, iterating that the La Liga champions will be “very happy” to welcome him to Camp Nou.
“I don’t know about his relationship with Mourinho. We’ll see in the future, but we would be very happy to see Pogba in Barca’s shirt. Pogba is a very good player, but a Manchester United player right now, and we’ll see if anything happens in the future. We would be happy to have him here, but Manchester United is his club and, if someone has to say something, it must be them.”
Pique has been the most forthcoming figure at Barcelona thus far about their interest in Pogba, with club president Josep Maria Bartomeu previously remaining coy on the topic. And, while the Spanish international didn’t explicitly mention the club’s interest in the player, one can sense that the Blaugrana are indeed keen on landing him.
If he indeed leaves Manchester United for a move to Camp Nou, the Frenchman could spearhead a long-term midfield unit that might be succeeding the current core that comprises of veterans like Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic.
Barcelona’s chances of signing Pogba this summer look bleak, though, with just three more days left in the summer transfer window. For now, the Frenchman remains a Manchester United player. But, it might not be for long, with the player visibly looking like he’s made up his mind to leave.
