Barcelona Transfer News: Paul Pogba Interest Confirmed, Ilkay Gundogan Rumours

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has confirmed Paul Pogba is the club's "leading target" despite Juventus director general Giuseppe Marotta suggesting the Italian side won't entertain offers for their prized asset.

Pogba appeared opposite Barca in Saturday's Champions League final, a match in which he and his midfield team-mates failed to assert their authority for the most part. Barca secured their second treble in six years with a 3-1 win, and worryingly for many clubs across Europe, Bartomeu made it clear they are looking to snap Pogba up.

He spoke to Telefoot (h/t ESPN): "It is true that Pogba is a leading target of ours and obviously we are interested, but I can't say anything more. We are forbidden to recruit players until January, so I can't talk about it."

Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Bartomeu's approach is certainly different to that of Real Madrid, who released an official statement to deny La Stampa's story that a move for the midfielder had been made. However, Marotta isn't willing to let the 22-year-old powerhouse leave, per ESPN:

"

His position is different. Pogba has a multi-season contract, is growing year on year and we need quality players to improve the team. In this case, the desire of the club is predominant over that of the player. Our rapport is excellent, we don't want to sell him, there are no negotiations and we have no intention of starting any.

"

Sport Witness suggested Juve would rather sell another destructive midfielder:

Pogba struggled to make an impact during Saturday's showpiece but showed flashes of skill on the ball. His confidence is notable, and his willingness to take control of possession suggests he will develop into a regular dictator in the centre of the park.

He completed just 77.4 per cent of his passes, made just one successful dribble and committed three fouls against Barca, per WhoScored.com. However, Arturo Vidal also struggled to contain Barca's efficient midfield three of Andres Iniesta, Ivan Rakitic and Sergio Busquets, so he shouldn't be harshly judged. Pogba still has plenty of time to develop.

B/R UK's Guillem Balague recently discussed Barca's interest in the player:

Barca's hopes of signing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan are all but over, according to Onda Cero journalist Alfredo Martinez, who tweeted the player "will not be signing for the club," as translated by ESPN. Here's the original tweet:

"

Gundogan NO fichará por el Barcelona

— Alfredo Martínez (@Alfremartinezz) June 7, 2015"

TalkSPORT suggests Manchester United are now favourites to land Gundogan's signature. The German midfielder would add a sprinkling of class to either side, but he'd likely have a greater impact at United right now. Gundogan could help Louis van Gaal's team spread play with his passing qualities, and if Barca are opting for Pogba, he would struggle to hold down a first-team place at Camp Nou.

We can expect a Blaugrana assault on the transfer market once the club's transfer ban lifts in January. Luis Enrique has already implemented a greater physicality and combativeness in Barca's play, a style to which Pogba could be key for years to come.

Matthias Schrader/Associated Press

As seen throughout the Champions League final, Juventus won't give up with a fight. Pogba is likely to develop into one of the world's very best players and is someone teams could be built around for the next decade.

Juve know this, and after such a successful season with Pogba in the team, they may have realised possessing the player over the cash that would be brought in by his sale is more profitable to the club's future.