Barcelona Transfer News: Latest on Paul Pogba and Aaron Ramsey Rumours

Reports suggest Barcelona have beaten Real Madrid to the signing of Juventus superstar Paul Pogba, despite their ongoing transfer sanctions imposed by FIFA.

Ben Grounds of the Daily Mail cites Catalan newspaper Sport's claim that the former Manchester United midfielder has said "yes" to Barca, with the Frenchman "only wanting to play at the Nou Camp."

Grounds says Pogba is distancing himself from becoming a Galactico and has also snubbed overtures from his hometown team Paris Saint-Germain—Pogba was born in the eastern suburbs of the city.

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Pogba's rise to prominence has been meteoric, with the player going from a hopeful youth at United to one of the best in the world in less than three years.

The French international has been a consistent performer for the Old Lady in Serie A, with the Turin team dominating Italian football and attaining significant success in this season's Champions League.

Pogba has just completed his best season in Serie A in terms of goals scored, finding the net eight times from 23 starts—per WhoScored.com—and in Barca's team, this figure would be sure to swell.

Sport says Juventus are holding out for a £60 million transfer fee for the player, but Pogba wishes to wait until after the Champions League final against Barcelona to discuss any potential business, per Grounds.

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez also cites Mundo Deportivo's claim that Pogba is one of Barca's transfer priorities, but he reiterates that no official deal is in place with the Catalans, despite the interest of both the player and the club:

Manager Luis Enrique will be looking to strengthen his midfield after the recent departure of club legend Xavi—and Pogba represents the new wave of big, technical central midfielders who can score and defend.

Pogba is a completely different kind of talent to Xavi, but he has the control and ability to fulfil the role at the heart of the Blaugrana core.

Former Gunners Player Advocates Ramsey's Quality

Dusan Vranic/Associated Press

Former Arsenal attacker Perry Groves has spoken out about the quality of Aaron Ramsey, saying the Gunners midfielder is good enough to replace Xavi at Barcelona.

Anton Stanley of TalkSport quotes the pundit on his thoughts about the Welshman's potential move, believing Ramsey would give Enrique a different element to his current midfield stock:

"

Aaron Ramsey has the passing range and the technical abilities, and more importantly you have to have the mental strength to play for Barcelona because of the pressure you’re under. [He’ll be replacing] Xavi because he’s going to Qatar. He’s been on the bench quite a lot this year. He’s absolutely good enough [to step into his shoes].

If you’ve got Sergio Busquets, Andres Iniesta and Ivan Rakitic, they’re very good technical players but they don’t have the running capabilities of Aaron Ramsey. Barcelona are looking for something different and he will give them that.

"

Matt Dunham/Associated Press

Arsenal coach Arsene Wenger has moved swiftly to denounce any link of Ramsey joining the new La Liga champions, saying he has not had any dealings with Barca about the player, per the Press Association (via ESPN FC):

"It is not realistic. Believe me, Barcelona know us well. They have gone through transfers with us. If they want someone, they call me."

Ramsey has improved greatly over the past few years, but he is a different player to Xavi. The great Spaniard's game was about tempo and control—especially in his latter years—and Barca will be looking for either a similar talent or a dynamic new player.

This is where Pogba enters the picture, and if Enrique wants to add a mobile midfielder who is also devastating in the final third of the pitch, the 22-year-old is the perfect option.

Ramsey would be the cheaper addition of the two, but in Pogba, the Blaugrana would be obtaining a player who could one day be the best in the world and dominate opponents as he grows into a genuine superstar.