According to Sport, Barcelona have agreed a deal with Juventus for the signing of France international Paul Pogba. Sky Bet have also confirmed that they have suspended betting on the 22-year-old’s next destination,
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The midfielder has been linked with several major clubs ahead over the last few weeks and months, with Real Madrid [Sky Sports], Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City [both Daily Star] and Chelsea [Mirror] all having been rumoured to be keen on his signature.
However, Barcelona appear to have beaten off competition from their transfer rivals and look to be nearing the capture of Pogba—one of the world’s finest central midfielders.
The powerhouse may have struggled against the Catalonian giants in 2015 Champions League final, where he was outclassed by Andres Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Ivan Rakitic, but Luis Enrique and Barca’s hierarchy have clearly seen enough to convince them that the player is worth signing.
BREAKING: Barça and Juve have reached an agreement for Pogba to sign for Barcelona next summer. More to follow…
— SPORT English (@Sport_EN) July 1, 2015
According to Sport, the two Champions League finalists have reached an agreement for the player, who will move in the summer of 2016. Sky Bet have suspended betting on the player’s next club and are clearly confident that a move to Barcelona is set to be concluded imminently.
We’ve suspended betting on Paul Pogba’s next club amid reports the Frenchman is set to join Barcelona
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) July 1, 2015
While it may immediately appear odd that the Catalan side are waiting until next summer to acquire the midfielder, some explanation can be found in the club’s current ban on registering new players. Barca are prepared to let Pogba remain at Juve for another campaign, before bringing him to Catalonia next summer.
Had he moved this summer, he would have been unable to play until January 2016 at the earliest.
The exact details of the move have not yet been confirmed, although Sport previously suggested that Pogba will switch for roughly £64 million.
Jose Mourinho may well be disappointed by the news, with Chelsea also reported to be seriously considering a summer move for the midfielder.
The Portuguese coach was considering a £35.5 million-plus-Oscar approach for the Frenchman according to the Metro, but looks likely to be left frustrated.