Real Madrid have denied reports that they’re in the race to sign free agent Paul Pogba during the upcoming summer transfer window.
Pogba’s Manchester United departure was officially confirmed earlier this week, bringing to an end a disappointing second stint at Old Trafford. The academy graduate returned to the club in a deal worth £89million back in 2016, but has failed to inspire United to consistent success.
Reports had suggested that United were open to extending the World Cup winner’s contract beyond the end of last season, but failed to come to an agreement and Pogba is now able to move around on a free. The 29-year-old’s former club Juventus are believed to be the frontrunners for his signature, with suggestions in Italy going as far to say a transfer could be imminent.
However, Sky Sports claim that Pogba has yet to reach a final decision and is still mulling over offers. It is stated that along with the Bianconeri - Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have made attractive offers, giving the midfielder plenty of food for thought prior to what could be the last big move of his career.
But Spanish news outlet El Chiringuito report that Madrid have ‘flatly denied’ that they have made an offer for Pogba, meaning the race is down to either Juventus or PSG. The Spanish and European champions are in the market for a midfield player this summer, but are focusing their attention on Monaco youngster Aurelien Tchouameni.
Pogba’s compatriot is widely regarded as one of the most promising defensive midfielders in world football and could command a fee of more than £80million for any prospective suitors. The ex-United man would certainly be a more cost-effective transfer - in terms of initial fee at least - but for now Madrid don’t appear to be interested.
Links between Pogba and a potential move to the Bernabeu are nothing new. Three summers ago, club president Florentino Perez admitted that they hoped to snag him from United, only to told be he wasn’t for sale.
"There are players who don't get sold,” Perez explained in 2019. "We went for Lewandowski for several years and nothing happened because he has no clause, and they [Bayern Munich] won't sell him.
“There's no way. And that's happened with Pogba. When certain players can be sold, we can go for them." Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has also been forced to address speculation surrounding a potential move in the past, during the Italian’s time at Bayern Munich.
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Speaking shortly after Pogba completed his club-record return to Man United, Munich had been reported as a suitor, only for Ancelotti to claim he wasn’t the type of player he was looking for.
"Pogba is a great player but I wasn’t looking for a player of his profile,” he admitted. "[Did you want him?] No, impossible. We have a very good midfield with Xabi Alonso, Arturo Vidal, and Joshua Kimmich can also play there.”
That isn’t to say the veteran tactician isn’t a fan of his game, labelling him as the “complete midfielder” in the midst of his trophy-laden spell in Turin. “The Frenchman is a great player and has a bright future ahead of him,” he said in 2014. "He is also one of the best young midfielders around at the moment. We are talking about an almost complete midfielder.”
