Transfer News: Barcelona join Real Madrid in Paul Pogba pursuit

Barcelona are reportedly eyeing a free transfer swoop for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, who is also a target for rivals Real Madrid.

According to a report from Spanish publication Fichajes, Barcelona have entered the race to sign Manchester United superstar Paul Pogba who is in the final year of his contract with the club and is also being pursued by Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.

Pogba is currently in the sixth season of his second stint with Manchester United, having returned on a club-record transfer deal from Juventus. Since then, he has not always been the most consistent performer but, when on song, there are few better than him in this Manchester United side.

That has been the case since the turn of the year, with Pogba helping the Red Devils finish as runners-up in the Premier League and Europa League. He has started the new campaign brilliantly as well, registering seven assists from just four league games already. However, with him entering the final year of his deal, the Frenchman’s future at Old Trafford has become a subject of speculation.

Real Madrid have been long-term admirers of Pogba, with former manager Zinedine Zidane having been keen on signing him for a while now. And even though he is not in charge of the club anymore, president Florentino Perez remains a huge admirer of the 28-year-old French international and wants him at the Bernabeu next summer.

With Luka Modric not getting any younger and with his contract running out, there will be a need for a new midfield reinforcement at the Spanish capital club, making Pogba a viable transfer target. However, they are now set to face competition from arch-rivals Barcelona, who are also looking to sign the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner on a Bosman transfer.

It is claimed that Barcelona president Joan Laporta held talks with Pogba’s representative, Mino Raiola, with the Italian super-agent informing the Catalan giants’ chief that he could help convince the midfielder to consider a transfer to Camp Nou when his contract runs out.

With not much proven quality in midfield the first-choice trio of Frenkie de Jong, Pedri and Sergio Busquets, Barcelona could use someone of Pogba’s ilk. However, given their financial situation, the Frenchman’s wages could become an issue for the Blaugrana. Furthermore, not only Real Madrid, but they will also have to compete with PSG as well as Juventus.

Pogba, for his part, was said to be keen on a move to Real Madrid. However, recent reports had claimed that the France international was considering signing a new contract at Manchester United after being impressed by the club’s recruitment this past summer. But with so many clubs after him, it remains to be seen where the 28-year-old ends up come summer next year.