Real Madrid Transfer News: Carlo Ancelotti Accused of Paul Pogba 'Lies'

Transfer markets never seem to bring out the best in football clubs. If you need proof, consider Juventus sporting director Giuseppe Marotta accusing Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti of telling "white lies."

Specifically, Marotta suggested the Italian coach has been masking the truth about his interest in Juve's midfield powerhouse Paul Pogba, per Sky Italia (h/t Daily Mail reporter Thomas Jacobs). Marotta was responding to comments Ancelotti had previously made to Sky Italia suggesting he hadn't asked about Pogba's availability.

Marotta responded frankly: "He says he's not interested? Well, that's a white lie. I'm sure he has his reasons to say it's not true."

Marotta is clearly accusing Ancelotti of engaging in the type of not-so suave dodge managers often try and perform with the press during transfer windows. No boss wants to weaken a club's negotiating position and alert potential arrivals by openly declaring his interest in a player.

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The real story here comes from some of Marotta's later comments concerning Pogba's long-term future in Turin. Let's just say he more than left the door ajar for perhaps the brightest young star in world football to leave the Serie A giants in the not too distant future:

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We will do everything within our limits to hold on to Pogba, but we must not forget Italy is a country in transition.

The problem we have is that of offers coming in from other clubs offering him a salary that we are not able to match due to our financial situation.

"

Worryingly for Juve fans, Marotta isn't the only person with connections to the club endorsing the idea of the reigning Serie A champions seeing what they can get for Pogba.

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Marcello Lippi, the manager who won the UEFA Champions League with the Bianconeri in 1996, had this to say to say to Sky Italia (h/t Daily Express reporter Ben Jefferson): "Of course, it would be a big sacrifice to lose Pogba, but selling him would generate enough money to buy three or four great players to help improve the team."

Bleacher Report's Matteo Bonetti recently discussed the idea of Juve using Pogba as a means to revamp their squad at multiple positions:

Jefferson stated Lippi's words will provide plenty of encouragement to Premier League trio Arsenal, Chelsea and Manchester United. They should also act as music to the ears of any interested figures in Madrid.

Pogba is close to being a complete midfielder. He's a general in the middle, equally adept at showcasing skill and creativity as he is at using his natural brawn to boss the physical battles.

Not since the days of Arsenal and one-time Juve great Patrick Vieira has a midfielder combined flair with destructive tendencies so effectively. That's why Pogba is the gem most of Europe's top clubs want to build their squads around.

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As talented as Ancelotti's Los Blancos team is, the group certainly doesn't boast a midfielder like Pogba, though Madrid field a number of players in the middle who make up parts of what Pogba can do.

Cerebral pass masters Toni Kroos and Luka Modric boast Pogba's comfort and efficiency on the ball. Yet neither plays with the same strength and aggression.

Tenacious runner Sami Khedira can provide those qualities—at least he could if he ever stayed injury free.

None of that trio has Pogba's knack for scoring, something he shares with advanced playmakers Isco and James Rodriguez. But with Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and the irrepressible Cristiano Ronaldo up front, Ancelotti has little need for attacking reinforcements.

What he really needs is a player who can link every area of his star-studded squad together, a robust creator who can dictate play in every area of the pitch. Pogba certainly fits the bill.

If Juventus really are engaging in a campaign to encourage suitors, and Marotta and Lippi's comments read like that, Ancelotti and Los Merengues should be at the front of the queue.