Barcelona Transfer News: Star Names Among Latest Camp Nou Rumours

Any slim hopes Barcelona might have held of signing Paul Pogba this summer look to have been dashed after Juventus stamped a "not-for-sale" sign on their star, but Pedro's Camp Nou exit appears close.

Barcelona presidential candidate Joan Laporta has stated he'll bring Pogba to the club if elected this summer, according to the Daily Star's Tim Gray, who also quoted Juventus director Giuseppe Marotta, saying:

"Whoever is interested needs to talk to us and not with agent Mino Raiola. Barca cannot make any signings and Juve does not want to sell. We have negotiated with Barca in recent months—but the player is not for sale."

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

Marotta isn't completely correct in that the Blaugrana's transfer ban doesn't technically prevent them from making signings—they merely can't register any new players until January 1, 2016, proven by the captures of Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal.

However, it does seem unlikely Pogba would be willing to forgo five months of football in order to make his move to Barcelona this summer. Bleacher Report's Graham Ruthven recently analysed the Frenchman's potential impact should he complete a switch to the Spanish giants:

Pogba sits as one of the hottest commodities in European football at present and the Juventus board are under a lot of pressure to keep hold of his talents for as long as they possibly can.

Spanish writer Sergi Dominguez and Serie A expert Omid Zamani each believes the former Manchester United starlet will remain in Turin until next summer at least:

Marrotta's statement leaves no room for interpretation regarding the Old Lady's stance on their most coveted star: They will be the ones to decide Pogba's fate, not his agent, Mino Raiola nor any of his suitors.

That being said, with the powers of the Camp Nou circling, and the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea also mentioned by Gray as among the player's pursuers, they face an uphill struggle to tie down Pogba's loyalties.

Manchester United Set to Trigger Pedro Release Clause 

Fernando Bustamante/Associated Press

Manchester United are ready to advance in what's already been a busy summer of business after it emerged Louis van Gaal's side will trigger the £22 million release clause in Pedro's Barcelona contract.

That's according to the Guardian's Jamie Jackson, who claims Pedro will suit the manager's aim to play a 4-3-3 this season after he struggled for playing time at the Camp Nou last season:

Luis Suarez's arrival in Barcelona only added to the competition already provided by the likes of Neymar and Lionel Messi, while Arda Turan will also intensify that search for minutes should he remain at the club.

The Daily Mail's Adam Crafton hailed Pedro as a playing talent, but he questioned just how the winger would fit into Van Gaal's system considering the options already at Old Trafford:

While it may be the case Van Gaal already has alternatives out wide, one could certainly argue Pedro as being a superior talent to Adnan Januzaj or even Ashley Young, despite his resurgence of late.

As Jackson mentioned, Premier League champions Chelsea have also been associated as one of the sides hoping to tempt Pedro from Catalan country, but the player is "minded to join United."

Following the signings of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darmian, Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, Pedro would make for another exciting acquisition at Old Trafford.

A victim of his surroundings more than anything, the Spain international boasts a mountain of experience, having won a World Cup, five La Liga titles and the Champions League on three occasions.

What's more, Pedro's cut-price fee of £22 million has the potential to be of extreme value given that his release clause once stood at £109 million, an indication of how highly Barca once valued their fringe star.