Juventus director general Beppe Marotta has told clubs interested in Paul Pogba to make bids directly to them, reports the Daily Express.
This comes after the Manchester United, Chelsea, and Manchester City target’s agent Mino Raiola claimed that his client will be joining Barcelona if Joan Laporta wins the presidential election. The Bianconeri chief doesn’t seem to have agreed to this deal, and is still waiting for offers from the many clubs rumoured to be interested in the player’s signature.
However, the 58-year-old did reveal that the Blaugranas have been in contact over a deal, and they have turned them down so far.
“Those who want Paul will have to negotiate with Juventus, not with Mino Raiola, who is only his agent,” he said.
“We’ve been negotiating with Barcelona for months, from one club to the other, in a serious and transparent manner.
“This is the right way to do business between two teams that have so much history and importance in the world of football. The situation is clear between Juventus and Barcelona since the meeting we had in Milan with their director of sporting institutional relations, Albert Soler, and my friend Ariedo Braida.
“Barcelona made a serious and concrete offer, but we rejected anyway.”
This is after Raiola said [ESPN]: “If Laporta wins the Barcelona presidential election, there’d be a high chance of Pogba ending up at Barcelona. I know [head of the football sector] Albert Soler. The trip [by Barcelona] to Turin seemed like a political move, specially designed to take a picture.
“It was very strange, but it’s all nonsense as Paul and I were not in Turin. First Barcelona will have to negotiate with me, then with Juventus, but they can do so.”
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There has been a long running transfer saga surrounding the 22-year-old. He has caught the eye after impressing in Turin since being let go by Manchester United for nothing in 2012. Releasing the midfielder may prove to be one of Sir Alex Ferguson’s biggest mistakes at Old Trafford, as it seems he is set to become one of the best players in world football.
However, the youngster’s price tag may be putting off some of the interested parties. Barca legend Johan Cruyff has branded the asking price as absurd, according to the Manchester Evening News.
The France international may be worth it though, being a vital part of the Juve side which won both Serie A and the Coppa Italia last season as well as getting to the final of the Champions League. He scored 11 goals in 43 appearances throughout the campaign.