Real Madrid Transfer News: Paul Pogba Snub, Arturo Vidal Rumours Sparked

Juventus chief executive Giuseppe Marotta is "convinced" Paul Pogba will remain in Turin next season, but he expects Real Madrid to make an approach for his central midfield partner Arturo Vidal.  

Madrid are one of many clubs linked with a move for Pogba, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Manchester United and Manchester City also said to be interested, per Jack Wilson of the Daily Star. 

Marotta believes all are set to be disappointed, according to the report: "There has been no official expression of interest in him. And I am convinced Pogba wants to stay with us. I repeat the future project that Juventus have is based on holding on to our best players."

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Madrid previously released an official statement denying a report by Italian publication La Stampa, which suggested an approach for Pogba had been made. However, Marotta is preparing to receive a bid from the club for Vidal.

"Real Madrid did not make an attempt to sign him but it is probable that Real will do this in the future because (Rafa) Benitez knows Arturo very well," he said on Wednesday, as reported by Mark Doyle of Goal.com.

New Bernabeu boss Rafa Benitez will be tasked with finding greater balance in the side's midfield next season. His teams are often built around solid midfield players who don't leave their team-mates exposed but can spring forward to attack. Pogba and Vidal enjoyed an entertaining, rambunctious and combative relationship in the Old Lady's midfield throughout the 2014-15 campaign.

B/R UK's Jonathan Johnson recently discussed who Madrid could move on to fit one in:

Unlike former Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti, Benitez is not likely to use Isco and James Rodriguez alongside Toni Kroos in the middle. Both are too attack-minded and don't possess instinctive defensive genes to constantly aid the Spanish side's solidarity. Isco has become a far more well-rounded player over the past year, but his best attributes remain in the opposition's half.

Pogba's mobility and willingness to run with the ball could go down as a treat at the Bernabeu. He was overshadowed by Barcelona's midfield trio of Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic during the recent Champions League final defeat, but nobody can doubt his confidence. The 22-year-old is always more than willing to run with the ball and lead Juve's charge up the pitch.

Vidal is also inclined to maraud forward, but he is more likely to patrol the halfway line than Pogba. The Chilean has overcome niggling injuries to find decent form in recent times, despite also being overruled in the Champions League final (in which he was lucky not to be sent off).

Andres Kudacki/Associated Press

At 28 years old, he could provide an instant improvement for Benitez. Pogba still needs to be given leeway along his development, as he is prone to making sloppy mistakes during spells of ill-concentration.

B/R UK's Andy Brassell believes Pogba needs more time to establish himself in Italy:

Sky Sports' Terry Gibson also suggests a move may come too soon for the starlet:

Vidal has been ready to make the jump for a couple of years, while the only way Pogba is going to learn is by playing important matches. The spotlight would increase at Madrid, no doubt about it, but he's not someone who has shied away from challenges before.

Marotta's comments indicate Vidal is perhaps the most likely to leave at this point. His value will begin to drop in the coming years, so it may be a case of moving him on while he can still generate decent cash.

Juve's signing of Madrid's Sami Khedira, per the club's website, could also provide an excellent replacement for Vidal and may continue to aid Pogba's progress.