Barcelona Transfer News: Paul Pogba Move 'Likely,' Latest Blaugrana Rumours
FIFA agent Ernesto Bronzetti believes Paul Pogba will leave Juventus in the near future and that Barcelona is a likely destination for the prized France international.
Bronzetti discussed the futures of the midfielder and Juve striker Alvaro Morata with Tuttosport (h/t Football Italia), declaring Pogba could join the Blaugrana if the Old Lady sanction the move: "As for Pogba, I know that Barcelona are after him. It's likely he'll end up there sooner or later. We'll have to see whether Juventus decide to sell him. In any case Barca are not the only Spanish club looking for him."
The former Manchester United player's huge reputation suggests the other Spanish club interested is Real Madrid, as La Liga's two superpowers are likely the only teams who could afford him.
Real Madrid Castilla coach Zinedine Zidane revealed Real's initial interest in the summer, commenting about Pogba to radio station RTL (h/t Alec Fenn of Goal):
"He has everything. I think that he’s fantastic. What I like about him is that he has it all.
He is a complete player who also has the ability to score goals because he likes to get forward. In terms of footballing qualities, he is extraordinary.
A lot of clubs are interested in him and so are Real. It is natural that talented players are of interest to all the big clubs.
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Pogba has been given the reins to Juventus' midfield after the summer exits of Andrea Pirlo and Arturo Vidal, but the early exchanges of the campaign haven't been good for the Serie A champions.
The side lies seventh, nine points from the summit, having already lost four times this season.
If Pogba cannot lead the Juve midfield, a sale would generate a huge amount of cash for the Italians, and they could continue the rebuilding process they have been forced into since their Champions League final appearance in June.
As Barca consider the virtues of adding Pogba to their core, veteran midfielder Sergio Busquets has said he wants to stay at the Camp Nou for the foreseeable future despite being "attracted" by a switch to English football.
The player told Luis Arnaiz for the Royal's Spanish Football Federation's monthly publication (h/t Jordi Gil of Sport) the atmosphere of the Premier League is appealing but that his heart remains in Catalonia: “I don’t deny that the Premier League and its atmosphere attracts me, but it’s never crossed my mind to change to another club. I feel loved and valued at Barcelona.”
Busquets suffered a knock playing for Spain against England on Friday night, as the home side ran out 2-0 winners. The midfielder asked to be replaced after identifying a thigh issue, and departed in the second half, as confirmed by Cataluyna Radio (h/t Sport).
On the Barca No. 5's prospective midfield team-mate, football writer Graham Ruthven told Bleacher Report why he believes Pogba should be Barcelona's next big signing as the team evolves toward playing a more dynamic style:
Barcelona have maintained their place at the top of La Liga despite the recent injury to Lionel Messi, but it appears they are in a transitional period as their performances this term have failed to match last season's levels.
Pogba would bring a new dimension to Barca's midfield, not only adding physical power but providing a talent who could also play the team's traditional style.
Alongside Busquets, the 22-year-old would have the protection to play his forward-thinking game, and the Spaniard would offer Pogba the experienced partner he needs to control the middle of the park.
The Frenchman is good enough to play for any club side in the world, but if manager Luis Enrique harbours any ambition to capture the player, the price tag could break the existing record of £85.3 million that took Gareth Bale to Real Madrid in 2013.
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