Speculation is growing that this summer French midfield star Paul Pogba will make a big-money change from Manchester United to Real Madrid, but it would be easier for the Spanish giants to spend their cash elsewhere.
This weekend’s reports in Spain say that Paul Pogba, 26, is desperate to push through a transfer to Madrid, while Real boss Zinedine Zidane is said to be eager to take in his fellow Frenchman as he brings about a significant work in the Santiago Bernabeu reconstruction.
The club has flexed its financial muscle in spending more than € 300 million ($340 million) on fresh talent since Zidane returned to the reins at crisis-stricken Real.
For around € 50 million each, defenders Eder Militao and Ferland Mendy arrived, while striker Luka Jovic was also signed for a reported € 60 million from Frankfurt.
Brazilian youngster Rodrygo, 18, was secured from Santos for a fee said to be € 45 million last year, but will finally join the team this summer ; fellow 18-year-old Takefusa Kubo, a former Barcelona starlet, also signed a deal for about € 2 million this week and will start life in junior ranks.
There are no indications United would be prepared to part with their star player, but once Real has a goal they are recognized as constant pursuers, typically indicating their presence through multiple channels (as Zidane has accomplished in public) along with the tacit idea that the player can do the remainder by pushing through a step – all of which appears to be working in familiar manner with Pogba.
But if Zidane sincerely considered basing his reconstruction project around Pogba at Real as a main base, it would actually be on very shaky ground.
And even if Manchester United were to consider letting go of Pogba, considering the post-Neymar globe of transfer agreements, it would probably bring a premium far beyond what they paid for him.
In the meantime, Pobga would do better to get his head down at Manchester United – where he’s required more than ever – and show what a skilled footballer he can be. Then he can begin thinkingof Real Madrid.