Real Madrid Transfer News: Latest on Paul Pogba and Asier Illarramendi Rumours

Real Madrid will be enthused by the news that Paul Pogba is believed to want to join the Galacticos' French contingent in the Spanish capital, as the player continues to be linked with a transfer away from Juventus.

Goal.com quotes former Los Blancos goalkeeper Francisco Buyo speaking to Telefoot about the former Manchester United player, and he claims team president Florentino Perez has already sounded out Pogba about arriving as the team's newest Galactico:

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Perez loves good players, he praised Pogba and asked him if likes Real. If you ask a player if he loves this team and he says he does, it means he wants to join, and in the near future. 

In addition to the favourable financial deal on offer, Real Madrid also present the prospect of joining his friends Karim Benzema and Raphael Varane. And [B team coach and former Juventus midfielder] Zinedine Zidane would provide the spirit of Juve.

"

Massimo Pinca/Associated Press

The France international has been in sensational form for Juventus this term, leading the team to the Champions League final against Barcelona. 

The player just completed his best goal return in a season with the Old Lady, scoring eight times in La Liga in 23 starts, per WhoScored.com. 

Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti recently spoke about Pogba and proclaimed him to be one of the young greats of the game, per AS:

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Pogba represents a new breed of strong, mobile midfielders who can both defend and attack. The youngster is not yet the perfect player on the back foot, but the 22-year-old is a genuine box-to-box entity and will improve vastly in the next couple of years. 

But the mind games between the El Clasico rivals have begun in earnest with claims Pogba only has eyes for a future with Barcelona. 

Ben Grounds of the Daily Mail quotes Catalan newspaper Sport's claim that the midfielder has said "yes" to Barca, with the Frenchman "only wanting to play at the Nou Camp" and "distancing himself" from the idea of joining Real. 

This kind of courtship is common in the Spanish press—and if Pogba becomes available in the coming weeks, both La Liga superclubs will be in the battle to sign him. 

Illarramendi Wants to Remain at Madrid

Abdeljalil Bounhar/Associated Press

Life on Madrid's sidelines is difficult for any player, but Asier Illarramendi surely hoped to make a significant breakthrough in his career this season.

However, it was not to be, with the player now being touted for a move away from Los Blancos—whether he wants to or not. 

Ed Malyon of the Mirror reports Liverpool's interest in the 25-year-old, but the player has made a plea to remain with his club for the foreseeable future.

"I have a contract for a few more years and I hope to stay because I really like it here," he said. "The truth is that I haven't played much. Everyone likes to play more, but obviously in Madrid it's very difficult to play and get continuity."

Illarramendi has appeared 30 times for Madrid in La Liga this term but has started only 10 of those matches, per WhoScored.com.

Despite the player's obvious talents, he does not have the star quality of some of his peers, and this has cost him opportunity and merit. 

Pogba is the type of midfielder Madrid fans love—a player with arrogance and swagger, ready to fulfil the ambitions of the club with his sheer will and brilliance. 

But with Madrid playing a more counter style of football, the passing mandate of Barca seems to fit the player more.

Madrid would have to adjust their style of play for Pogba, and that might be something Cristiano Ronaldo and Co. are unwilling to do.