Guillem Balague has claimed that Real Madrid are not interested in Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, contrary to recent reports.
Spanish football guru Guillem Balague, in an interview with Sky Sports, has stated that Paul Pogba is not on Real Madrid’s radar, contrary to widespread reports this week linking him with a move to Santiago Bernabeu. Balague is adamant that Florentino Perez is not considering the Manchester United midfielder as a summer target.
Pogba is widely regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world at the present moment, and a pivotal figure for Manchester United. The Frenchman is currently enjoying his second coming at the Premier League club, having previously departed Old Trafford for Juventus in 2012.
Since rejoining Manchester United in the summer of 2016 though, he has been extremely influential in the fortunes of Jose Mourinho’s side in the last two seasons. But, after a strong start to the 2017-18 season – 3 goals and 9 assists in 17 Premier League appearances – Pogba’s campaign is starting to peter out horribly.
In his last two starts, Manchester United have produced dismal performances, and lost each game, while Mourinho also dropped Pogba for the league game against Huddersfield two weeks ago. While the Portuguese manager has been criticised for not playing Pogba in his best position, speculation has also been on the rise about possible interest from Real Madrid.
Unlike Manchester United, where Mourinho deploys a midfield pivot, Zinedine Zidane uses a trio at the centre of the park which has often been pointed out as the style to bring the best out of Pogba. With Luka Modric’s powers on the wane, Real Madrid could replace him with a top class midfielder in the France international.
In the Premier League this season:
Pogba
Mins played – 1375
Assists – 9
Mins per assist – 152Sane
Mins played – 1560
Assists – 10
Mins per assist – 156De Bruyne
Mins played – 2311
Assists – 14
Mins per assist – 165For those who continuously criticise Paul Pogba… #mufc pic.twitter.com/EvwlHpWiSE
— United Xtra (@utdxtra) February 18, 2018
But, Spanish transfer expert Guillem Balague is adamant that Real Madrid are not interested in signing Pogba in the summer, with club president Florentino Perez does not view the 24-year-old as a target.
“Regarding Pogba, a leak to French publication L’Equipe suggested he wants a different position on the pitch to improve his performances. When reports like that emerge, don’t be surprised that reports claiming Real Madrid want him soon follow.”
“But they don’t, they do not have the money to finance such a deal after they buy their main targets this summer. Perhaps more importantly, Real president Florentino Perez does not view him as a target. I will tell you an interesting story about Pogba and Real Madrid.”
“When he decided to leave Manchester United he was offered to Real Madrid B for €100,000. The coach of the team at the time told Florentino: ‘Bring him to me when he cost €100m’. Well, Pogba does cost more than that now, but he is not the player they want for next season.”
The aforementioned comments from one of the most reliable voices on the subject of transfers in Spain should bury the speculation surrounding a possible interest in Pogba from Real Madrid for now. But, the reports could resurface should the player’s struggles continue at Manchester United.
For now, Pogba would be focused on rediscovering his best form to catapult Manchester United to success this season, especially after Mourinho quashed talks of a possible rift between him and the player.
