FC Barcelona outgoing president Josep Bartomeu has revealed manager Luis Enrique wasn’t interested in signing Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba last season.
Catalan newspaper Sport had claimed earlier that Juventus had the following three offers on the table for the Paul Pogba: a 80m + a 10m in add-ons from FC Barcelona to purchase in July 2016, a 50m + Brazilian midfielder Oscar from Chelsea FC to purchase this summer, and a cash-only a 100m offer from Manchester City to purchase the France international this summer.
Reports in Catalan media then stated that Juventus and FC Barcelona had reached a gentlemana s agreement regarding the transfer of the player in 2016/17 season. However, contrary to the reports, Juventus later confirmed that FC Barcelona did have a bid rejected for Paul Pogba in a meeting between the representatives of the two clubs.
FC Barcelona were thought to be the front runners to secure the deal for the player with the outgoing president Bartomeu confirming that he was looking to bring in the player, as well as Joan Laporta, who is the other favorite for the presidenta s position with the election due on 18th of July, saying that he would sign the player should he become the president.
However, Bartomeu then made a u-turn, stating that the Catalan giants will not be signing the player this year and has now revealed that it was so because manager Luis Enrique wanted to sign Aleix Vidal from Seville, and Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid, instead.
“Luis Enrique did not ask for Pogba,” he told Cadena Cope. “The trip to Juventus was not foreseen when I left, but the club is still working.”
The club unveiled Ardan Turan as their new signing on Friday after he completed a a 40m deal from Atletico Madrid, and Bartomeu revealed he began working on the deal weeks ago.
“I spoke with Arda approximately around the dates of the Champions League final to tell him we wanted to sign him.”
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“When I left the transfer was very advanced but it wasn’t finished. Arda and Aleix Vidal are the two players who Luis Enrique asked for.”
The hunt for Pogba in the balance, though, with Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Chelsea FC and Manchester City looking to snap up the Juventus star.
Also Read: Who Should Paul Pogba Choose: Chelsea FC, Real Madrid, Manchester City, Or PSG?