Real Madrid Transfer News: Agent Warns of Paul Pogba Auction Amid Chelsea Talks

It seems we can't go two days without transfer rumours surrounding Juventus star Paul Pogba and a potential move to the likes of Real Madrid. The young midfielder is now tipped to become the subject of a massive bidding war amid speculation that his agent, Mino Raiola, is talking to Chelsea.

According to football writer Ben Fairthorne, Blues chairman Bruce Buck will sit down with Raiola to discuss a potential move:

Meanwhile, fellow agent Isidoro Maresca told Italian newspaper Il Sussidiario (h/t the Daily Express' Ben Jefferson) he's unsure whether the 22-year-old will leave the Bianconeri at the end of this season, and it will ultimately come down to which top clubs are willing to simply outbid their rivals:

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The departure of Pogba from Juventus will depend on the offer and the clubs who will fight to gain his services.

It could be a case of an auction around the French player.

Pogba could definitely sign for Real Madrid; it is no surprise that [agent Mino] Raiola met with [Real manager Carlo] Ancelotti a few weeks ago.

But perhaps Paris Saint-Germain will also enter negotiations.

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The France international hardly needs an introduction at this point. After leaving Manchester United and establishing himself as one of the world's top young talents in Turin, he has become one of the most talked-about transfer targets on the planet.

Speculation ranges wildly and usually comes down to a handful of Premier League teams—Jefferson highlights Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United—the two Spanish giants (Real and Barcelona) and Paris Saint-Germain.

Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson believes the latter may be willing to break the bank to bring Pogba back to Paris—he was born in a nearby suburb—giving some credence to the idea of a bidding war:

Naturally, the British press has been talking up the Premier League as his preferred destination, while media from Spain are almost certain he'll join Real or Barcelona. According to El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Barcastuff), it's almost a foregone conclusion he'll join the Blaugrana:

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Several Italian football officials take for granted that Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba (21) will join Barcelona. [md]

— barcastuff (@barcastuff) March 14, 2015"

The saga surrounding Pogba's future is quickly taking on ridiculous proportions, and at this point in time, only the youngster and his agent know what the long-term plan is.

Interestingly enough, they seem to favour an extended stay with Juventus, as Raiola told Tuttosport (h/t the Daily Mirror's James Whaling):

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We made a pact with Juve: Paul doesn’t have to leave.

I spoke to president Andrea Agnelli, directors Pavel Nedved, BeppeMarotta and Fabio Paratici, so they all agree. The club doesn’t need the money.

At this moment the situation at Juve is ideal for Pogba. We would only leave if a situation emerged that was favourable for all concerned.

...

If I just whistled, I’d sell Pogba tomorrow to PSG or City in a heartbeat. But Paul did not tell me to find him another club.

What are his chances of staying? As of today it’s 99 per cent. Juve agree with our approach, which is that they will only sell if Paul asks to leave and there’s a suitable offer. Of course, it could become one per cent, it depends on the market.

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With Euro 2016 coming up, it would make sense for the midfielder to prefer staying in Italy for now, giving him the chance to prepare for the tournament in a familiar environment.

He'll be 23 when that tournament starts and expected to anchor a young but wildly talented French side looking to establish itself as a new European powerhouse. With a strong performance on home soil, Pogba could cement his status as a world-class midfielder, announcing he's ready for bigger things.

GianlucaDiMarzio.com's David Amoyal believes he could even start a little sooner:

Pogba is well worth the hype—especially given his age—and with Juventus having no intentions of selling, a bidding war seems very likely.

There's not a club in Europe that wouldn't want to bring the Frenchman into the fold, and once the offers start coming in, the likes of Real and PSG will gladly try to outdo each other for the chance to sign him.

Chelsea will likely sit at the front of the queue, and with an eye on their recent UEFA Champions League exit at the hands of PSG, manager Jose Mourinho would love nothing more than to bring in another physical midfielder capable of breaking down opponents and contributing in the attacking third.

Likewise, Los Blancos seem to add at least one world-class star every summer, and president Florentino Perez may have his eye on the France international next.

We'll be hearing plenty more on the subject between now and summer, despite Pogba's camp indicating they prefer to stay in Turin for now. Like past transfer sagas involving the likes of Eden Hazard and Gareth Bale, Pogba is simply too good a player for the rumour mill to fall silent.

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