Paul Pogba is no longer in the picture at Real Madrid, writes marca Saturday. The Spanish sports newspaper reports that the Madrid club’s board no longer intends to add the midfielder to the selection next season, even though he currently has an expiring contract with Manchester United. In recent years there have been advances back and forth, but for various reasons it did not come to a transfer from the French international to the Santiago Bernabéu.
marca writes that, on the one hand, Real Madrid believes that Pogba would not fit into Carlo Ancelotti’s system, despite the qualities of the world champion. The Spanish top club also has other priorities when it comes to strengthening the selection. In addition, Real Madrid want to ensure the continuity of Luka Modric, who celebrated his 36th birthday in September and remains an important player. Club and player are talking behind the scenes about an eleventh contract year.
Pogba, 28, has been somewhat close to a move to Real Madrid on three occasions. He was one of Zinedine Zidane’s wishes in his two stages as head coach of the Royal. The first time, Real Madrid refused to comply with the financial demands of Juventus, who eventually accepted a fee of €105 million from Manchester United. In the summer of 2019, Real Madrid and Pogba had contact for a third time, but it backfired on the Frenchman’s annual salary at Old Trafford: fourteen million euros.
Manchester United have tried several times to extend Pogba’s contract, but to no avail. Agent Mino Raiola indicated at the end of last year that ‘it was over’ and insinuated that a summer transfer was imminent. Pogba, however, remained at Old Trafford. According to marca Modric, Casemiro and Toni Kroos will continue to form Real Madrid’s midfield for the coming seasons, supported by Federico Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga. The club also has high hopes for 21-year-old Antonio Blanco, who has played six games so far.