Real Madrid Transfer News: Paul Pogba Agent Negotiations Begin, Latest Rumours

Real Madrid have entered into negotiations over the purchase of Juventus' Paul Pogba, according to the player’s agent, Mino Raiola.

The France international is one of the game’s brightest prospects, having blossomed into a wonderful midfielder during his time in Italy. Raiola, speaking with Marca (h/t Oliver Todd of the MailOnline) has stated that Los Blancos are keen on Pogba and a move to the Spanish capital would appeal to the player.

“We are in the initial phase of negotiations,” said Raiola. “Pogba admires Real Madrid and Zinedine Zidane and that will be very important when making his decision.”

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When asked about how much Real would have to pay in order to sign the 23-year-old, Raiola responded: “Paul is worth what a club is prepared to pay for him.”

According to Todd, Manchester United, Manchester City, Barcelona and Chelsea are also interested in the Juventus man, who is said to be valued around the £90 million mark.

Pogba has been key to the Bianconeri’s recent domestic dominance with some tremendous midfield displays. Here are some of the best moments from the 2015-16 Serie A season:

When it comes to a Real Madrid marquee signing Pogba ticks a lot of boxes. He’s young, dynamic and supremely skilful with the ball; his ability to surge forward would also make the Frenchman an ideal stylistic fit. Additionally, he’s extremely recognisable and as such, would be very marketable for Los Blancos.

As these numbers from Squawka Football show, after a difficult beginning to the 2016 UEFA European Championship, Pogba is beginning to show what he can do on the big stage too:

While he’s not been at his absolute best lately for the national side, the midfielder has shown he can handle responsibility. For the Italian champions he became the heartbeat of the team last season, shining in the iconic No. 10 jersey and pulling Juve through tight matches.

It’s that kind of mental strength, coupled with his extraordinary ability, that suggests he could be a huge hit at the Santiago Bernabeu. But a transfer of this significance will be complicated and as such, this one is likely to run and run throughout the summer.

N’Golo Kante Offered to Real

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According to Alvaro de la Rosa of AS, Leicester City midfielder N’Golo Kante has been “offered” to Real Madrid.

It’s suggested Zidane is considering the player as competition to Casemiro, who did a fine job at the base of the team’s midfield last term. “The addition of Kante to the squad would also not prevent Real going after [Pogba],” De la Rosa wrote. “The two players are familiar with each other and compatible on the pitch.”

While Pogba has been a little slow getting up to the speed at the Euros, Kante has been one of France’s standout players to this point. As noted by Stuart James of the Guardian, he’s been compared to a former Real and France star after some rumbustious performances:

Kante is the kind of player Madrid would really benefit from. While there was a brilliant balance in the midfield trio of Casemiro, Luka Modric and Toni Kroos late last season, Zidane hasn’t been able to call upon a player that can carry the ball quickly vertically. As well as being a defensive behemoth, that’s a role the Leicester man can fulfil.

As noted by De la Rosa, a release clause in the 25-year-old’s contract amounting to around £20 million means the deal is affordable for Real Madrid. And although United, City, Liverpool, Arsenal and Chelsea have all been linked with the player, per James Walters of the Daily Star, a move to Madrid would surely be most alluring for both Kante and the Foxes.