The future of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba continues to be one of the hottest topics in the European press, with the Spanish media today stating that Real Madrid and Barcelona are set to up their efforts to land the talismanic Frenchman.
The former Manchester United box-to-box midfielder has become one of the most promising players in world football since signing for the Italian giants and is seemingly set to spark a bidding war for his services this summer.
AS have stated today that Real Madrid are firmly set their sights on Pogba and are willing to pay the France international €10 million per year for five seasons.
The Santiago Bernabeu outfit have axed Carlo Ancelotti after a trophy-less campaign and have had to suffer the indignity of perennial rivals Barcelona dominating domestically and on the continent.
A midfield consisting of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Pogba would be a frightening proposition, with Isco also in consideration and growing in stature for the outgoing European champions.
Despite Madrid going on the offensive, Barcelona are ready to go toe-to-toe with their rivals according to Mundo Deportivo.
The Catalan outfit are ready to part company with long-standing midfield general Xavi, with the World Cup winner off to Al Sadd and as such the Blaugrana are expected to sign a new deep-lying playmaker soon.
The report instigates that Camp Nou sporting director Ariedo Braida has started negotiations with Pogba’s representative Mino Raiola, with the newly crowned La Liga champions ready to triple the midfielder’s wages.
With Pogba said to earn €4 million per year currently, this would eclipse Real Madrid’s offer.
However, the article also insinuates that Pogba has demanded to become Barcelona’s second highest paid player if he is to accept a move to the Catalan club, behind Lionel Messi.
This would see the Juve man paid more than Neymar, who currently earns €20 million, with Barca said to be reluctant to meet these demands.
Should Barcelona reach an agreement with the Italian champions and their star player, Pogba would not move to the Catalan club until January 2016 at the earliest due to their current transfer ban.
Despite moneymen Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City also being linked relatively steadily with a move for Pogba, his most likely destination seems to be one of the Clasico sides.
With both Barcelona and Real Madrid having reasons to state their need for the Juventus star, the eventual winner of the race to land Pogba would have the impetus to become an even more dominant force in Spanish and European football.
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