Barcelona are interested in snapping up Manchester United’s Paul Pogba on a free transfer next summer, according to Spanish daily sports paper Mundo Deportivo.
World Cup winner Pogba openly talked up a move to Real Madrid at a France press conference last week, saying it would be a ‘dream’ to play for Los Blancos.
But beleaguered Barcelona boss Ronald Koeman believes he can persuade the 72-cap international to join Madrid’s bitter La Liga rivals if he becomes a free agent.
Cash-strapped Barça are also keen on securing Bayern Munich defender David Alaba on a free, with both players’ contracts expiring in summer 2021.
No new deal for Pogba yet
Although Paul Pogba’s deal expires next summer, United have the option of triggering a 12-month extension to protect his value.
However the Frenchman, who has started every league game this season, admitted the Red Devils hadn’t opened talks yet.
Pogba told The Sun: “Nobody has said anything to me. I have not spoken with Ed Woodward.
“I have not been spoken to about an extension. For the moment, I am at Manchester United and I am thinking above all to hit my top form.
“There will be a moment where the club comes to speak to me and maybe offers me something, or not. For the moment, nothing has happened.”
Second time lucky for Barcelona?
The Catalan giants almost sealed a move for the gifted playmaker back in summer 2018 when their £17m bid plus Yerry Mina and Angel Gomes was rejected.
And with midfielders Ivan Rakitic, Arthur Melo and Arturo Vidal all leaving the Nou Camp this summer, they could be left light in the middle of the park.
Nonetheless, Pogba is yet to hit his highest level for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, despite scoring in the 3-0 EFL Cup victory over Brighton and making a breathtaking pass to help set up Kylian Mbappe’s winner in France’s 2-1 Nations League win over Croatia on Wednesday.
Source: thefocusnews
