Barcelona and Real Madrid are reportedly planning to hold talks with Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba over a Bosman move in the summer.

According to The Telegraph, Manchester United midfielder, Paul Pogba will be on the move this summer when his contract expires. And, he seemingly has no shortage of suitors with Barcelona and Real Madrid planning on opening talks with the Frenchman.

Pogba returned to Manchester United in 2016, four years after having left the club on a Bosman deal for Juventus. Signed for a club-record fee of £89 million, the 29-year-old has struggled to repay the investment made in him by the Red Devils. While there have been glimpses of his undoubted quality, Pogba has been unable to perform at a high level consistently for the club.

The 2018 FIFA World Cup winner has had injury issues in the ongoing campaign and has not played regularly. With his contract expiring at the end of the season, a renewal is not on the cards as the midfielder seeks to bring an end to his journey at Old Trafford with another Bosman exit.

Pogba has been free to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with foreign clubs since January. However, as per the report, he has not spoken to any clubs as he was focused on completing the season with Manchester United. And, with the campaign set to end in a few weeks, the Frenchman will start listening to offers as he plans his next move.

Does a new challenge await Paul Pogba? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)
Does a new challenge await Paul Pogba? (Photo by Michael Regan/Getty Images)

Barcelona and Real Madrid have emerged as potential suitors for Pogba, with the La Liga clubs now planning to open preliminary talks with the Manchester United midfielder over a possible free transfer switch in the summer.

Barcelona have already agreed a deal to sign Franck Kessie on a Bosman deal when his contract with AC Milan runs out. And they have a well-stocked midfield unit, with Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Sergio Busquets, Gavi, Nico Gonzalez and Riqui Puig. However, there are some question marks over the future of Puig, while de Jong is also being linked with an exit, amid interest from Manchester United.

It leaves the door open for another midfielder to arrive at Camp Nou in the summer. Considering that Barcelona are planning to splurge on a new striker, signing Pogba on a free transfer would make sense. But how they manage to meet his wage demands, given their current situation, will be the major question.

As for Real Madrid, they have held a long-standing interest in Pogba. The midfielder himself has spoken about his ‘dream’ to play for Real Madrid in the past, but a move has not materialised so far. But as Luka Modric enters the final phase of his career and Toni Kroos is also well into his thirties and has had some poor performances of late.

While recent reports in Spain claimed that Real Madrid had rejected the opportunity to sign Pogba when he was offered to them, The Telegraph insists they remain interested in the Frenchman and will hold talks with him imminently.

Apart from the two clubs, Pogba’s former employers, Juventus, also are planning to open talks over a potential return. So, it will be interesting to see where he ends up next season.

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