Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest Paul Pogba and Jose Luis Gaya Rumours

Real Madrid could be trumped by fierce rivals Barcelona in the pursuit of Paul Pogba, with reports suggesting that the Catalan giants are currently leading the race for the mercurial Frenchman.

According to Mundo Deportivo (h/t James Andrew of the MailOnline), the La Liga juggernauts are joined by Manchester City, Manchester United, Paris-Saint Germain and Arsenal in the race for the Juventus star. But the piece claims that despite their current embargo on incoming players, it’s the Blaugrana who are in pole position for his signature.

Here’s a look at why the 21-year-old is attracting so much interest:

As noted in Andrew’s piece, Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has a prosperous relationship with current Barcelona sporting director Ariedo Braida and that’s seen them nudge to the front of the queue. But you suspect that won’t stop Real Madrid looking to lure Pogba to the Santiago Bernabeu this summer.

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As we can see here courtesy of David Amoyal of gianlucadimarzio.com, Bianconeri director Giuseppe Marotta has insisted that there is no pressure on the club to cash in on their prized asset despite clear interest from European juggernauts:

Real Madrid and Barcelona have battled for the world’s best players throughout their long and illustrious rivalry and you get the impression another tug of war could be prompted in the race for Pogba. But despite reports to the contrary, Los Blancos are surely in a better position to bring the Frenchman to La Liga.

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Not only do the dynamic qualities of the player make him a better fit for the Real Madrid stylistic template of pace and power, but Carlo Ancelotti’s team can steal a march on their eternal rivals in the summer by bringing him in while Barcelona are serving sanctions.

But as noted by the piece in Mundo Deportivo (h/t barcastuff), the Blaugrana seemingly have a way of getting around their current sanctions and one that could suit the Italian champions too:

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Braida has discussed situation Pogba with Juventus director Marotta. Barcelona want signing in summer, loan back to Juventus until Jan. [md]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) February 27, 2015"

Nonetheless, with Asier Illarramendi and Sami Khedira reportedly on the cusp of leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, there’s an obvious spot in the team for Pogba to accommodate at Real Madrid. The club’s willingness to invest in young stars like Martin Odegaard and Lucas Silva could also tip the scales in their favour.

One young player who looks increasingly unlikely to don the iconic all-white jersey is Valencia’s Jose Luis Gaya. Real have been linked with a switch for the teenage sensation recently, but speaking with Cadena COPE (h/t football-espana.net) Los Che president Amadeo Salvo revealed the left-back will be going nowhere for a while yet:

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I spoke with Florentino [Perez] and he told me he didn’t want [Jose Luis] Gaya. Gaya is not for sale to Real Madrid or anyone else.

We want Gaya to stay here for many years. If one day he doesn’t want to be here, he can tell us and we’d understand [his wishes].

"

Manuel Queimadelos Alonso/Getty Images

Here’s a look at why Gaya is drawing attention from the likes of Real Madrid:

While Gaya has the class to eventually become a fully fledged international and one of the finest full-backs around, a move to the Spanish capital in the summer wouldn’t make sense for him. The reason he’s flourished is because of an upturn in playing time and first-team football is something much more readily available to him at the Mestalla than in Madrid.

As noted by OptaJose earlier in the season, Gaya’s attacking influence has been critical to Valencia’s superb campaign:

While the bright lights of the Bernabeu are enough to entice any player, a host of Spain’s best young stars have signed for Real Madrid early in their careers and have subsequently faltered under the levels of expectation that accompany a switch to such a massive club.

With that in mind, Gaya is better off sticking around at Valencia, getting minutes under his belt and moulding his talents as a player.