Zinedine Zidane has told Real Madrid to pursue a deal for Paul Pogba after the Manchester United midfielder made it clear he is ready to embark on a new challenge, according to reports in Spain.
The French coach returned to the Bernabeu at the start of March and has been promised a huge summer transfer kitty to turn Real back into Champions League contenders again, with midfield one of his top priorities.
Zidane has long been a fan of compatriot Pogba and tried to sign him during his first reign in charge of Real, back in 2016, but he opted to return to Old Trafford instead.
Now Marca report that Zidane and Pogba have spoken about working together and the midfielder has made it known more recently that he is ready for a new challenge.
Although Real bosses fear a deal for Pogba will be extremely difficult, Zidane’s willingness to pursue him is based on the knowledge that the 26-year-old wants a change of scenery and is enticed by the idea of leading Madrid’s new era.
Pogba feels he has done what he set out to achieve at United, winning silverware – the Europa League and FA Cup – and playing a key role in the team’s resurgence under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
His agent, Mino Raiola, has also reportedly informed Real that a deal with United would be possible – and certainly far easier than trying to sign Kylian Mbappe.
Zinedine Zidane on Paul Pogba
‘I know him personally. He brings so much and there are few players who bring as much as he does. But he is not my player, he is at Manchester. He has always said that, after Manchester, Madrid has always interested him. So when his experience at Manchester ends, why not come here to Madrid?’
Pogba is currently rebuffing United’s attempts to open contract talks – his current deal runs out in 2021 – though would likely command a transfer fee in excess of £100million.
Zidane has told Real bosses that Pogba is worth the price tag and believes he can bring all the qualities, particularly power and directness, that his midfield has lacked this season, with the likes of Toni Kroos potentially being offloaded to make way for the Frenchman.
