Barcelona Transfer News: Paul Pogba Rumours Rubbished by Agent Mino Raiola

Paul Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, has vehemently denied recent reports linking the Frenchman with a move to Barcelona.

Lluis Miguelsanz in Spanish outlet Sport recently indicated Pogba would be prepared to take a pay-cut to join Barca, with Juventus interested in selling their star midfielder and the 22-year-old open to departing the Serie A giants.

However, Raiola has now insisted, in no uncertain terms, that these claims are "nonsense":

Indeed, Ed Malyon in the Mirror reported Barca have just pulled out of a deal worth over £85 million to sign Pogba in the summer because of their "self-imposed financial restrictions." 

And any idea, as suggested by Miguelsanz, that "Juventus are interested in selling the player" does seem somewhat unbelievable.

Pogba is unquestionably one of the Old Lady's best players, and although Juve may be resigned to the fact that will eventually lose him, there is little likelihood that they should want to sell him.

Per Squawka, Pogba is the best player in the world under the age of 23 and is only likely to improve further as he gains more and more experience:

He was a key part of Juve's domestic double triumph last season—and their run to the UEFA Champions League final—while he has been very important as they have risen to the top of Serie A this term after a poor start thanks to a run of 15 wins on the bounce.

Per Bleacher Report's Dean Jones, Pogba has also been linked with Manchester City, Chelsea and Real Madrid, with Los Blancos seen as the favourites to sign the France international:

However, Juventus will drive a hard bargain if they are to be persuaded into letting Pogba go.

The former Manchester United man is contracted to the Turin outfit until 2019 and, as suggested by Malyon, is likely valued at around £85 million—the world record transfer fee.

Pogba was widely rumoured to be on his way out of Juve last summer, as noted by Mark Doyle for Goal, but he remained at the club and is continuing to succeed.

Barcelona has always seemed like his preferred destination should he leave Italy, but if they cannot currently afford him, another one of Europe's elite could swoop.