Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Paul Pogba, Pierre-Emerick Aubemyang Rumours

Zinedine Zidane has confirmed Real Madrid wanted to sign Paul Pogba before the midfielder joined former club Manchester United for a world-record transfer fee in the summer.

Speaking to Spanish radio station RMC (h/t Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News), Zidane made it clear initial talks took place: "It could have happened. There were conversations, but it didn’t go ahead."

Luckhurst also linked to comments from Pogba's agent Mino Raiola, confirming interest from Los Blancos during the transfer window. Raiola revealed all during an interview with Telefoot back in late August (h/t Luckhurst):

"

Zidane wanted him at Real Madrid but there were another five or six clubs following him as well. Manchester United are now a lot stronger thanks to him, whilst Real Madrid are not.

I never spoke about the market with Pogba whilst he was playing at the European Championship, and then he went on holiday because he was very disappointed.

It was only when I arrived in Miami was it when things were put in motion. He explained to me what he wanted. Manchester is his home.

"

Zidane may have wanted Pogba, but it's not clear exactly where the France international would have fit in a squad already well-stocked in midfield.

Denis Doyle/Getty Images

It's a balance revealed by a perfectly complementary trio combining various essential attributes. Brazilian Casemiro is the physical destroyer, while Luka Modric is the cerebral playmaker. Their efforts are augmented by the engine, movement and eye for goal of German workhorse Toni Kroos.

This group was key to Real winning the UEFA Champions League last season. It would take a brave manager to disband the star-studded trio, even though Pogba's potential is enticing.

There's no denying few players boast the 23-year-old's athletic prowess, natural flair and range of passing. However, he's struggled to bring those gifts to bear since returning to Old Trafford from Juventus this summer, managing just one goal and no assists, per WhoScored.com.

Richard Heathcote/Getty Images

Pundits such as Charlie Nicholas of Sky Sports have bemoaned Pogba's lack of team discipline: "If he was an academy youngster coming into the team, people would be screaming and moaning at him but because he's new and £89 million, you let him off."

Yet Pogba isn't just struggling at club level. He's also finding international football a chore at the moment. In fact, French publication L'Equipe (h/t ESPN FC's Jonathan Johnson) recently handed him a low rating after a drab showing during a 4-1 win over Bulgaria:

Pogba's latest shaky appearance prompted France manager Didier Deschamps to call on the midfielder to improve, according to Liam Corless of the Daily Mirror.

As Pogba continues to falter, Real should consider themselves fortunate they didn't part with a Galactico-size fee for a player who has yet to merit one.

Pogba has the natural ability to become the player many expect him to be, but even if he makes the grade, Los Blancos will stay strong without him.

Real to Miss Out on Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Pogba may not be the only target the 11-time European Cup winners miss out on. The Spanish giants could also be hamstrung in any attempts to sign Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

He's reportedly ready to quit the Bundesliga club this summer, per the Daily Mirror's Darren Lewis. The report named Premier League duo Manchester City and Chelsea as the leading contenders for the attacker valued at £65 million.

Yet Lewis also noted Paris Saint-Germain and Real may show interest again, with the player seeming to favour a move to the Spanish capital. But, as Lewis pointed out, Real's FIFA-enforced transfer ban, running until 2018, could well scupper any hope of Aubameyang joining Los Blancos.

TF-Images/Getty Images

The prolific 27-year-old Aubameyang hasn't been shy about talking up his desire to one day join Real. He recently reaffirmed his ambition during an interview with Onze Mondial (h/t Michael Butler of the Guardian).

It isn't the first time Aubameyang has courted interest from Madrid. Back in July, he called one day signing for Real a "goal," according to German source ZDF (h/t MailOnline's Will Griffee).

While missing out on Pogba is not a problem, Zidane and Real should rue not being able to sign Aubameyang. His lightning pace, perceptive movement and classy finishing would make an already lethal forward line even more efficient.

The Gabon international would be an upgrade over Karim Benzema as a more natural complement alongside wide forwards Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale.

If there's any opportunity to convince Aubameyang to hold off until Real are free to make a move, the club should take it. By contrast, Zidane ought to breathe a sigh of relief about not going further with the proposed Pogba deal.