Real Madrid are reluctant to match Paul Pogba’s wage demands because it could upset other big earners like Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, reports claim.
The Manchester United midfielder has been heavily linked with a summer move to the Bernabeu after recently admitting it would be a ‘dream’ to play for Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane is thought to be planning a total overhaul of his current squad when the season ends – and the French icon is an admirer of his compatriot Pogba.
However, according to Spanish publication AS, the club are cautious about matching Pogba’s current £280,000-a-week deal at Old Trafford.
That figure would make Pogba the highest-paid player at Madrid, the newspaper claims, and the club are worried that might cause friction in the dressing room.
AS says it would top Bale’s £250,000-a-week deal and captain Ramos’ £196,000-a-week packet.
It is understood Pogba would be unwilling to take a pay cut, which could see any potential move fall through.
However, the 26-year-old could see his current wages slashed by 25 per cent if Manchester United fail to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Pogba would be forced to accept the cut along with the rest of the squad due to an automatic clause in the players’ contracts.
The Frenchman and David de Gea are reportedly using the uncertainty around United’s top-four hopes to demand huge pay rises and offset the threat of a wage cut.