Paul Pogba actions during the international break by winking Real Madrid’s way from his France press conference in Clairefontaine was heartbreaking and annoyed Manchester United fans. But his flirting is unlikely to be enough to turn him into one of Real Madrid’s signings this summer because president Florentino Perez has ruled out paying more than £100million for the 26-year-old.
There has been talk in the Spanish capital this week of Real Madrid using Manchester United’s interest in their players as leverage. But the keenness to sign Gareth Bale waned a while ago and Madrid do not want to lose one player United would want: Raphael Varane.
If one of those two, or Toni Kroos were to end up at United, and Pogba were to force his way out of Old Trafford by going even more public than he has in the last two weeks an opening might be found.
But for the moment the player is seen as too expensive and represented by an agent who has never enjoyed a good relationship with the Spanish club.
Last week – and with scant regard for the club he currently plays for – Pogba said: ‘Real Madrid is a dream for any kid or footballer and especially with Zidane.’ He did add: ‘I am happy at United but you never know what will happen tomorrow.’Pogba’s decision to play the Zidane card perhaps comes from the knowledge that Zidane would love to coach his compatriot.
But despite the fact that the Frenchman now has far more autonomy than he had in his last spell as coach he still needs to work within a framework at Madrid.
He has told the club he wants two new midfielders signed one attacking option and one player of a more defensive profile. He has an interest in Lyon’s Tanguy Ndombele as the defensive midfielder. The club are also looking at Adrien Rabiot.
Ndombele would cost around €60m. Paris Saint-Germain’s Rabiot is available on a free this summer. Christian Eriksen remains the best placed attacking option. Giovani Lo Celso looks like a possible alternative to the Tottenham player.
The PSG-owned Argentine has done well at Betis this year and they do have an option to buy him but Madrid could comfortably outbid them if they need to. Pogba would have to be willing to force his way out of United. Even then, with two years left on his current deal, his price remains beyond Madrid who would rather make Eden Hazard their biggest investment this summer.
Madrid considered signing Pogba in 2016 when they learned that the player wanted to leave Juventus. There was some interest but as soon as Manchester United joined the bidding and it became clear it would cost well over £100m to sign him; as well as that his agent’s cut would be record-breaking and that his wages would dwarf those of his new team-mates, Madrid decided not to pursue any deal.
Three years on, Madrid’s position has not really changed: interested but not at any price. Pogba is still represented by Raiola. He would still want his Manchester United wages matched at Madrid, his transfer fee would still be high, and his representative would also be looking for another big percentage.
The poor relationship with Raiola goes back to 2015 when Pogba was linked to a Barcelona switch, Madrid’s then coach Carlo Ancelotti publicly distanced himself from a move and Pogba’s agent was quoted in L’Equipe as saying: ‘Madrid buy players the way some people buy bath towels and then throw aside. We are not interested in a club like that.’