Barcelona Transfer News: Huge Names and Rumours Linked to Luis Enrique's Squad

Paris Saint-Germain are poised to go head-to-head with Barcelona in pursuit of Paul Pogba, with some reports claiming the Ligue 1 juggernauts will offer a stunning financial package for the Juventus star.

That’s according to Ramiro Aldunate of Marca, who writes that if the French champions don’t sign the 22-year-old midfielder, "it won't be for a lack of money." Aldunate claims PSG have offered €98 million for Pogba and that if Barca do want to bring him to the Camp Nou, “they’ll need to get their act together."

Here’s a reminder of the kind of talents Pogba would add to the Barcelona midfield:

Pogba is one of the hottest properties in European football, blessed with all the attributes needed to be the world’s finest midfield player. For Luis Enrique’s Blaugrana, a side more raw and less meticulous than the standard Barcelona model, the Frenchman’s blend of intricacy and industry would be a perfect fit.

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

But speaking with talkSPORT, European football expert Ben Lyttleton claimed that Real Madrid is the best and most likely destination for the player:

"

I would expect Pogba to be the most expensive signing this summer, probably around £80 million.

Real Madrid have the Zidane factor, which for young French players I think is important. [Zidane is] being groomed for the post after Rafa Benitez. In one or two years Zidane will be in charge and I think that plays a factor in Pogba's thinking.

I think Madrid suits him better. He's a personality, he's a Hollywood player. He's an individual but he can also play in a team so well. For me Madrid is a more natural fit for him.

"

Admittedly, whichever side does land Pogba, assuming he moves this summer, would be picking up a tremendous talent. But it seems as though Barcelona, given the transfer sanctions they are currently serving, as well as the upcoming presidential elections, have fallen behind in any potential race for the Frenchman's signature.

Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images

Encouragingly for the Blaugrana, who will be allowed to sign players again in 2016, Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri told SkySport24, per David Amoyal of GianlucaDiMarzio.com, that Pogba is set to stay at Juve:

For the time being, that seems the best course of action for this phenomenal young footballer. Pogba is playing an important role for a Bianconeri side that has enjoyed a tremendous campaign, and while he will surely move on one day, another season at the core of a successful Juventus side will only serve to enrich his development.

Alex Song in Demand

Steve Bardens/Getty Images

Out-of-favour Barcelona midfielder Alex Song is being tracked by the club’s Champions League rivals Manchester City and Chelsea, according to reports.

Sky Sports notes that the Cameroon international would qualify has a home-grown player in the Premier League despite his nationality. The midfielder impressed on loan at West Ham United last season, and Sky Sports claims Barca would be looking for a fee of £5 million to relinquish his services.

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Song’s departure from Camp Nou seems inevitable. Bleacher Report’s Jonathan Johnson recently took a look at other alterations the Catalans should make to their squad in the window:

Since signing from Arsenal for a £15 million fee in 2012, it’s not really worked out for Song. But as was evident last season, he’s still a quality midfield option. Song has clearly improved on the ball during his time with Barcelona. He has refined defensive instincts and would be a brilliant purchase for a club such as West Ham.

Dave Thompson/Getty Images

But Chelsea and Manchester City? Probably not. As noted here by talkSPORT, his potential purchase is already dividing opinion among Blues supporters:

Song needs a club that will offer him regular first-team football and re-establish the reputation he built up at Arsenal as a top-class, multifaceted midfield man.

Should he end up at Stamford Bridge or the Etihad Stadium, he’d find himself in a comparably frustrating scenario to the one that prompted talk of a move away from Camp Nou—festering in the reserves and on the substitutes' bench.