REAL MADRID AND Juventus have opened talks concerning the possible transfer of French international Paul Pogba to the Spanish club, the player’s agent has revealed.
Pogba has been heavily linked with a move to the Champions League winners with Manchester United and Chelsea also desperate to secure his signature.
But speaking to Spanish sports daily Marca, Mino Raiola confirmed the preferred destination for his player is Real Madrid.
“We’re in the first stage of negotiations,” Raiola said.
“It’s not a secret. Each year I meet with Real Madrid but also with (Manchester) United, Barcelona, (Manchester) City, Liverpool… it’s my job.
“The will of Zidane (Zinedine) is important, that of the club too. But we are currently only at the stage of contact, not yet at negotiation.
“He (Pogba) admires Zidane, he’s always told me so. For Paul, Real Madrid, Zidane, the people of Madrid, have always represented something special. He admires them.
“However, he needs to choose a project, not a coach, as coaches come and go. Pogba’s interest is not in being the most expensive signing and neither is it mine.
“They (Real) know what we want and we’ll see if in the end we can seal a union or if it ends in divorce.”
Italian press has reported in recent days that Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is ready to pay €120 million for the midfielder, who is currently on duty with France at Euro 2016.
Furthermore, Raiola is also thought to be demanding wages of over €450,000 a week.
“These are market prices,” said Raiola of the reports, explaining that the 23-year-old Pogba was looking for “a project in which he feels good, with a footballing vision which pleases him and people he has confidence in”.
Raiola added that Pogba would have “no problem staying with Juve” but that Real was “the perfect place” for him to achieve his ultimate goal of winning the Ballon d’or one day.
New Man United manager Jose Mourinho is keen to bring Pogba to Old Trafford but the player has previously suggested that he’s unwilling to return to England.
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