Chelsea Transfer News: Paul Pogba Targeted Amid Barcelona Talk, Latest Rumours

Chelsea could rebuild their crumbling midfield around Juventus ace Paul Pogba after his agent confirmed he will not be joining Barcelona in the near future. 

The Sun reported the player's agent, Mino Raiola, said the French international has "no chance" of teaming up with Lionel Messi at the Camp Nou, opening the door to a sensational switch to Stamford Bridge:

"

If I’m honest, no, because we’d already spoken with Barcelona and there was no chance of them buying him.

In the end there were three big clubs with 85 million euros on the table, or a little more including add-ons, which took the total to 100 million.

But a deal was not concluded because Pogba didn’t want to leave and Juventus wanted him to stay for at least another year.

We’ve said that when we feel the time is right, with the right project, the right team and all parties in agreement, we’ll be able to leave.

"

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The Sun also confirmed Pogba is on Manchester City and Real Madrid's wishlist, but it is Chelsea whose needs appear to fit the bill after their calamitous start to the current campaign. 

Francesc J. Gimeno of Sport said the Blaugrana will look elsewhere once their current transfer registration embargo expires, as Pogba's current market value is unaffordable within their strategy:

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The explanation is simple. To get Pogba dressed in a Barcelona shirt — or any other club — would cost an estimated 260 million euros. It’s a spectacular investment which has put off various clubs who have been following him. 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 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. Total: 260 million euros — which is unacceptable at this moment in time. 

"

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The incredible figures mentioned suggest Pogba will be heading for the richest suitors once he decides to leave the Old Lady, and English football is about to hit the jackpot once its billion-pound TV deal kicks in next year, as reported by Mike Keegan of the MailOnline.

The new Premier League TV contract is worth £5 billion, placing Chelsea and City at the head of the queue for Pogba's signature next summer.

Chelsea's midfield has gone from all encompassing to weak and fragile in only a few months, leaving manager Jose Mourinho on the edge of a cliff, ready to be sacked and replaced.

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Whether the Special One remains or not, owner Roman Abramovich could see Pogba as the upcoming global superstar that his club needs, giving the Blues an edge at home and abroad as the 22-year-old matures. 

Pogba has laboured in recent weeks after Juve allowed Carlos Tevez, Arturo Vidal and Andrea Pirlo to depart Turin, and the young midfielder has struggled to keep the ship afloat, as the Serie A champions have sunk to 10th in the Italian league.

However, he has been pivotal to his team since walking away from Manchester United in 2012, scoring nine times in the league and Europe last term, according to WhoScored.com, as Juve made it to the Champions League final.

Squawka.com also highlighted Pogba's excellent record in top level European competition:

Chelsea might have an additional problem if Eden Hazard leaves the club, as the player is attracting the interest of Madrid, as reported by Sami Mokbel of the Daily Mail.

Los Blancos could be forced to pay a world-record fee for the suffering Belgian, but this would give the Blues the funds they need to temp Pogba to the Bridge as a world-class replacement. 

Pogba is one of the candidates to step into Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's shoes once the pair reach the late stages of their careers, opening the door for the midfielder to take Europe by storm as the continent's top talent. 

However, this means there will be a premium attached to Pogba's head once he opts to move, and Raiola knows he can charge any price he wants when his client decides to leave Italian football for more expensive climes.