Barcelona Transfer News: Paul Pogba 'No Longer' Priority Amid Huge Cost Rumours

Barcelona's attempts to sign talisman midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus are reportedly at a "standstill." The obstacle is the prospective cost of the France international's needed contract, along with the initial, triple-digit fee to pry him away from Turin, Italy.  

Francesc J. Gimeno of Catalan publication Sport states this is no longer a transfer priority for Barca: "Barca will have money next summer to spend on players, but the signing of Pogba is no longer high on their list."

Gimeno reports any deal for Pogba will cost the club €260 million. The huge fee breaks down like this:

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Barça know Juve are not ready to lose their star player unless they receive an offer of 100 million euros. It’s also known that in order for (Mino) Raiola to push the operation through, he needs a long contract (six years) an 25 million euros annually as the player’s salary. That’s a total of 150 million euros over the course of the contract. Then there’s the 10 million euros Raiola wants as commission for the deal.

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But cost isn't the only factor halting the current talks between last season's treble winners and Serie A giants Juve. Barca are also focused on the long-term futures of their incumbents stars. Notably, Gimeno references the contract status of marquee attackers Lionel Messi and Neymar Jr.: "At the moment they are immersed in clarifying (Lionel) Messi’s future and renewing Neymar’s contract. On top of that, they are working on strengthening the team in January."

Manu Fernandez/Associated Press

Strengthening the ranks in January could take manager Luis Enrique in a different direction than focusing on the midfield. Regardless of the current status of both Messi and Neymar, Enrique's squad needs a few more talented forwards for strength in depth.

At the moment, only youngster Munir represents credible cover since Pedro was allowed to sign for Chelsea late in the summer transfer window.

Away from the forward line, the Barcelona defence could benefit from a few new additions. Left-back Jordi Alba has struggled, while central defenders Thomas Vermaelen, Gerard Pique and Jeremy Mathieu have hardly hit peak form.

The right-back position has already been refreshed by the emergence of Sergi Roberto, but other areas of the back four could use an overhaul.

Ironically, the midfield is still one of the obvious areas of strength for Barca. Sergio Busquets, Ivan Rakitic and Andres Iniesta are still a formidable trio when all are healthy.

Pogba has hardly helped his cause since he's "not yet kicked on this season as expected," as noted by Gimeno. Indeed, the 22-year-old has bagged a mere two goals and a pair of assists in league and UEFA Champions League action this season, according to WhoScored.com.

He still looks like a player without a definite position. Listed most commonly as a defensive midfielder, Pogba is actually more effective in forward areas. Whether or not there's room for him in those positions at the Camp Nou remains a question.

Answering it is not worth Barcelona paying a price Juve don't intend to lower. That may be why the player's agent, Mino Raiola, took the step of declaring his client won't join Barca, a club that had "no chance" of signing him back in the summer, during an interview with Italian radio program La politica nel Pallone (h/t Sky Sports).

Gimeno thinks Raiola wants to spark a bidding war involving the likes of Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain.

At the moment, those clubs look more likely destinations for the ex-Manchester United prospect than a move to La Liga.