London: Barcelona will continue to pursue Paul Pogba after the summer transfer window closes on August 31, with the Spanish club well aware of the midfielder’s issues at Manchester United.
Barcelona privately accept that United will not sell Pogba this month but will continue their interest in the way they did with Philippe Coutinho, who eventually signed from Liverpool in January.
It is believed the deal is being driven by Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola, with Barcelona happy to be brought into it, especially if it means that they can get the player, who cost United 89 million pounds and has three years left on his contract, for a reduced price.
Although Barcelona made an initial offer for Pogba, which included a lower cash sum of around 50 million euros plus two players in Yerry Mina and Andre Gomes — with buy-back clauses — they did so in the knowledge it would be rejected out of hand by United. They are likely to return in January or even next summer with a vastly improved bid for the 25-year-old and will closely monitor both his mood and his relationship with Jose Mourinho.
United remain adamant that Pogba is not for sale at any price — or in any window — and the French World Cup winner is well aware of their stance and how much they value him. Pogba is — broadly — happy to stay but wants to feel more support.
Given the tension between him and Mourinho, that probably emboldened Pogba to feel able to state after the Premier League win over Leicester City on Friday night, in which he scored a penalty, that he would be fined if he told the truth about his state of mind at Old Trafford.
Pogba captained United — regarded as an olive branch from Mourinho, who also praised his performance — but hinted at problems with the manager by also failing to mention him when praising the fans and his teammates. He added: “You have to know one thing. A player who gets chosen and is happy, you always feel more comfortable than when he’s not happy. That’s all I’ll say.
“I am the same Paul Pogba [as at the World Cup]. It’s a different team, obviously. I still love football and give my best. When you are comfortable, when people trust everyone, are good in the head, it’s going to be easier,” Pogba said.
“If you’re not happy doing what you’re doing, there’s no point doing it, right? There’s a point doing things because you love it.”
Asked if he was happy, Pogba replied: “There are things I cannot say, otherwise I will get fined.”
