Sky Sports’ Guillem Balague believes Paul Pogba would choose a move to Real Madrid over Manchester United, but thinks the Champions League holders could be priced out of a move for the French midfielder.
Pogba left Old Trafford for nothing when he fell out with Sir Alex Ferguson and failed to re-negotiate a contract, allowing the Frenchman to join Italian giants Juventus four years ago.
However, they have reportedly opened talks with the Serie A champions over a move and United are hopeful that their £100m world-record bid will be enough to stop Madrid from pursuing the playmaker.
Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is the 23-year-old’s idol and Real can also offer Champions League football next season, which is why Balague claims Pogba would prefer a move to the Spanish capital.
Speaking on Sky Sports New HQ, Balague said: “Pogba has made it very clear, to Real Madrid anyway, that he would like to be a Real Madrid player this summer.
“He has had conversations with Zinedine Zidane and he wants to play for Zidane.
“The problem is Real Madrid feel the kind of money that Manchester United is willing to pay for him is crazy and they cannot match it.”
Although, Pogba has reported been impressed by Jose Mourinho’s determination to make him Man Utd’s fourth summer signing – in addition to the possibility of a five-year contract worth £250,000-a-week, treble the amount of his current salary with Juve.
Pogba is still on international duty with France at Euro 2016, but his agent Mino Raiola has been trying his best to orchestrate a summer move.
Significantly, Raiola is said to have struck up a good rapport with United’s executive vice chairman Ed Woodward during the negotiations for two of his other clients – Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mhkitaryan – to join the Red Devils.
Balague added: “[Pogba’s desire to join Real] doesn’t stop his agent from getting other kinds of agreements.
“It has been reported that Manchester United may have a personal agreement with Pogba and I fully believe that is the case, but it wouldn’t be the first time more than one personal agreement had been reached.
“In any case, while we’re unsure as to Raiola’s priorities, Pogba’s is to go to Real Madrid.
“We will have to wait a while to see how this pans out but one thing is certain, both Real Madrid and Manchester United want the player.”
Comment: Let quickly go for marco verrati now,,,he will be a perfect addition in the midfield,,,,that Pogba amount is just too much for a defensive midfielder….then let’s use morata to exchange eden Hazard…
Comment:i don’t want to see pogba at real,if there’s Toni Kroos
Comment:pogba will be a perfect addition even if Madrid is retaining kroos I think.