Report: Juventus, Barcelona agree to mega transfer move for Pogba
Barcelona have reportedly agreed a $100million deal with Juventus to sign Paul Pogba - with the deal scheduled to go through in the summer of 2016.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport, a lunch held between officials from the two clubs ended with an consensus over the transfer which, due to Barcelona's transfer embargo, will go through next summer and enable Pogba to spend one more season in Turin. Barca will reportedly pay just shy of $90m for the France international, with a further $11 million in add-ons.
It is thought Manchester City were prepared to hand over $112m for Pogba, but the former Manchester United player reportedly has his heart set on a move to Catalonia. Barca presidential candidate Joan Laporta told Spanish radio station Cadena Cope that he is the man to bring Pogba to Camp Nou.
Laporta is hoping to return to Barca's top post on July 18 and is one of five candidates in the running to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu, who is standing for re-election.
"The key to his signing is (Pogba's agent) Mino Raiola," Laporta said. "It's true that I have a very good relationship with him and I believe that if I become president, Pogba will play at Barcelona."
Laporta insists, however, that the deal is not finalized.
"I think it's fine that the (Barca) management meet with Juve but the one they have to talk to is Raiola, he holds the key," Laporta said.
Barca cannot field any new players until January 2016 due to a transfer ban imposed by FIFA for breaching rules on the transfer of players aged under 18. The Catalan club will have to splash out on £77million-rated Pogba.
"Pogba is highly sought-after," Laporta said. "He has great quality and fits into Barca's style of play. He costs a lot of money but he is a reference player like Neymar, (Luis) Suarez or Cristiano (Ronaldo), that also cost a lot of money."
Barcelona have also been linked with Sergio Ramos of Real Madrid. The Spain international is keen to leave the Bernabeu stadium this summer and the 29-year-old defender is a top target of Manchester United.
When asked about Ramos, Laporta said: "I really like him, just as I like (Real Madrid duo Raphael) Varane and Isco, but I would never try to sign them." Laporta, 52, previously served as president of Barca from 2003 until 2010.
Back in the 2003 elections, Laporta promised to bring David Beckham to Barca while campaigning for the top job. Laporta was elected, but Beckham joined Real Madrid on a 35million euro transfer from Manchester United.
