Real Madrid Transfer News: Paul Pogba Agent Meeting Amid Manchester United Talk

Real Madrid will reportedly meet with Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola on Tuesday to discuss a variety of terms, as Los Blancos hope to take a decisive lead over Manchester United in the race to land the Juventus star. 

Per Sky Sports Italia (h/t AS' Alvaro de la Rosa), Real will meet with Pogba's camp before opening discussions with Juventus, which is standard practice for Los Blancos. Per the Independent's Jack de Menezes, new United manager Jose Mourinho is also keen on the Frenchman.

According to De la Rosa, wages could be one of the main sticking points between Real and Pogba. Los Blancos have suggested a wage packet of roughly €8 million per year, which is almost double what he makes with Juventus. Pogba is eyeing far bigger wages, however, of up to €13 million.

Martin Meissner/Associated Press

The Bianconeri maintain they have no intention of selling, and Pogba could cost as much as €120 million, which would set a new transfer record, according to De la Rosa. Juventus general director Beppe Marotta has previously been quoted as saying: “If you want a Mona Lisa and there’s only one, you’ll have to pay a hefty sum.”

While few players in the world are worth such a lofty figure, Pogba has established himself as one of the best central midfielders in the world. The 23-year-old played a key role in Juventus' run to their fifth straight Serie A title last year, and he's expected to lead France to UEFA Euro 2016 glory as well.

Here's a look at some of his highlights:

In many ways, Pogba is reminiscent of current Real manager Zinedine Zidane, who was Juventus' biggest star in midfield until he moved to Madrid in 2001. At the time, the Bianconeri held out until Los Blancos broke the transfer record for the 1998 FIFA World Cup winner.

Juventus used the funds of his sale to buy the likes of Pavel Nedved and Gianluigi Buffon, and while the loss of Zidane was a setback, the team was better off in the long run. They'll have similar plans this time around, although their primary objective will be to keep hold of Pogba for now.

The player maintains he's happy in Turin, and Raiola, his agent, has never made a secret of his disdain for Real's transfer policy. Last year, he told L'Equipe (h/t ESPN FC's Ian Holyman) he and his client were not interested in Los Blancos at the time, attacking the way the club goes about their business in the process:

"

Real Madrid are a club that is used to buying players like you buy a facecloth -- and then throws them away like a facecloth.

Real are a team that sees a player who has six good games at the World Cup and buys him.

We don't want to go to a club like that. We want to go to a club that believes in Paul's potential. I am not closing the door to Real, but I'm not opening it either.

"

That doesn't mean Pogba won't join Madrid, but it could complicate negotiations. Pogba's financial demands are high, and it won't be easy to find a compromise.

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Real have the financial means to meet both his and Juventus' demands, and Zidane continues to sing his praises, per Football Espana. Los Blancos tend to make at least one major splash in the transfer market every year, and if Pogba is this year's priority, they won't hesitate to part with a huge chunk of cash if that's what it takes.

The same holds true for United, who watched Pogba leave for Juventus in 2012. Mourinho is expected to add several star names to the squad this summer, and the Frenchman's strong form and long-term potential make him a perfect fit.

Per ESPN FC's David Amoyal, there's no denying how good he has become over the last four years:

His history with the Red Devils makes a return to Old Trafford less likely than a move to the Santiago Bernabeu, but, like Real, United can offer Juventus and Pogba the kind of massive monetary sums it would take to complete this deal.

This transfer saga likely won't be resolved anytime soon, as Pogba is focused on Euro 2016 and is unlikely to make any major decisions until the tournament is over.