Transfer Centre

Zinedine Zidane hints Real Madrid are 'working on' a move for Paul Pogba

By Danielle Joynson, Staff Reporter | 27 July 2016

Zinedine Zidane hints that Real Madrid are still "working" on a swoop for Paul Pogba, despite the Juventus midfielder reportedly closing in on a move to Manchester United.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has suggested that the club are still interested in signing Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.

Manchester United emerged as the frontrunners for the 23-year-old's signature following reports that Madrid had pulled out of contention.

It was claimed that the Spanish giants refused to meet Juve's hefty asking price, which is believed to be close to £100m.

Since then, United have been in negotiations with the Italian giants, but despite reports that personal terms have been agreed between the club and the player, Jose Mourinho's side failed with an initial £85m offer.

According to latest reports, United and Juve are struggling to agree on who will pay a €20m (£16.8m) figure to Pogba's agent Mino Raiola.

Now, though, Zidane has claimed that Madrid are still at the negotiating table for the midfielder, who is rumoured to prefer a switch to the Bernabeu rather than a return to Old Trafford, where he left on a free transfer in 2012.

"In this moment we are still working [on a move for Pogba], and I cannot say anything more," Goal.com quotes Zidane as saying. "Until August 31 anything can happen, but today he is not a Real Madrid player and I cannot talk about what will happen.

"I always say how things are, but now is not the time to talk about this. A lot of clubs are interested in Pogba. Real Madrid always want the best players, but we owe Juventus respect, and I can't say anything more out of respect."

If Pogba is sold for more than £85m, then the France international will eclipse Madrid's Gareth Bale to become the most expensive footballer in history.