Manchester United star Paul Pogba met with Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane in Dubai following months of speculation about the pair uniting at the Bernabeu, Express Sport can exclusively reveal.
The French midfielder, who is currently sidelined with an ankle injury and flew to Dubai for some warm weather rehabilitation during the international break, was spotted chatting to Zidane after the pair ran into each other on the beach on Sunday night, with the Los Blancos manager having attended a conference in the area.
The duo engaged in a 10-minute conversation, which is sure to fuel further rumours of Pogba’s potential transfer to the Bernabeu.
Express Sport understands that Zidane remains keen on signing Pogba, having missed out on the Red Devils ace in the summer.
The La Liga giants spent more than £300million on new arrivals ahead of the current campaign but were unable to prise Pogba away from Old Trafford, with United insisting the 26-year-old was not for sale for anything less than £150m.
Real are believed to have offered a fee in the region of £27.6m plus James Rodriguez for Pogba, but this failed to meet United’s valuation of their star man.
Juventus were also interested in re-signing their former player, who has consistently received criticism for both his on- and off-field actions since returning to United for £89m in 2016.
Pogba has two years plus the option of an extra 12 months on his current contract, meaning the Red Devils are standing firm in their desire to get value for money.
Pogba sparked controversy by suggesting he was ready for “a new challenge” midway through the summer transfer window.
He cast further doubt over his future by suggesting a “question mark” remained over his plans despite playing a starring role in United’s opening win of the Premier League season against Chelsea.
Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola has also stirred things up by declaring his client’s desire to leave United in the past.
The United ace is currently recovering from an ankle problem and was seen on crutches and in a cast during his conversation with Zidane.
He will miss United’s clash with Liverpool this Sunday, with his manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer giving the media an update on his fitness this week.
When asked about Pogba, Solksjaer said: “No chance [of Pogba being fit for Liverpool].
“Paul had an injury, came back, he worked really hard. He came back and played a couple of games, maybe played through the pain barrier.
“We had a scan after the Arsenal game and he needed a few weeks’ rest in a boot, so hopefully, he won’t be too long. But he won’t make this game, no.”
As for Zidane, the Los Blancos manager has enjoyed a positive start to the current campaign with his side top of La Liga after five wins from eight matches.
But the Frenchman is still on the lookout for reinforcements ahead of the January window as he attempts to bolster an ageing squad.
Zidane used the international break to offer his expertise to the Dubai Artificial Intelligence in Sports Conference.
And the 47-year-old could have been laying the ground work for another attempt to sign Pogba after the pair’s meeting in the Middle East.
