Paul Pogba is reportedly unlikely to join Barcelona, with manager Xavi vetoing a move for the Manchester United midfielder.
According to a report by Spanish publication SPORT, Paul Pogba’s hopes of joining Barcelona in either the January transfer window or next summer have been quashed. The Catalan giants are unlikely to launch the offensive for the Manchester United midfielder, with Xavi uninterested in signing him.
Paul Pogba has been a controversial figure since returning to Manchester United from Juventus in August 2016. While the Frenchman has shown flashes of brilliance in the last half a decade, he has also tended to go missing horribly at crucial junctures.
To date, the 28-year-old has made 219 appearances for Manchester United, chipping in with 38 goals and 49 assists along the way. However, the Red Devils are in a precarious position over his long-term future, with the 2018 FIFA World Cup winner in the final year of his contract. Such a situation has alerted several clubs, including Barcelona.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta recently held a meeting with Mino Raiola, wherein the two discussed possible moves for several players. One of the names tabled by the super-agent was Pogba, who is primed to join a new club, possibly by leaving Manchester United as a free agent.
Recent reports have claimed that the Catalan giants are closing in on signing Pogba, and the interest seemed to make sense. That is because Xavi has had to depend on youngsters like Gavi and Nico Gonzalez way too much for his liking. In addition, Pedri burned out after playing around 70 games for Barcelona and Spain from the start of the 2020/21 season.
With Frenkie de Jong’s future up in the air, Barcelona could be forced to sign a midfielder, making Pogba a viable target. However, Xavi has no intention of bringing the Manchester United contract rebel into his squad and has vetoed a move for him as a result.
What remains to be seen is if the La Liga heavyweights decide to enter the market for a midfielder at all. Where Pogba ends up if he chooses to leave Manchester United will also be interesting to see as he approaches the final six months of his contract with the Red Devils.
