Real Madrid officials, Zinedine Zidane differ on Paul Pogba

Zinedine Zidane has convinced Real Madrid officials to sign players they were unsure about before, but it may be more difficult to persuade them on Paul Pogba due to the expected price tag.

Real Madrid showed interest in Manchester United star Paul Pogba this summer, knowing they had a glaring need in the center of the park at the time. And Zinedine Zidane is enamored with the France star, as Pogba’s technical class, intelligence on the ball, and improved defensive work have made him arguably the most talented player at the position.

However, United understood Pogba’s value to them and asked for an onerous asking price – one that Florentino Perez refused to meet after signing Eden Hazard to a nine-figure deal along with a host of much-needed young players.

According to a report from MARCA’s Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa, Zidane still wants Pogba in 2020 despite Fede Valverde’s breakout in midfield. Valverde’s emergence as a standout box-to-box midfielder has seemingly made Pogba an unnecessary luxury purchase, but it is true that Real’s other star midfielders, such as Luka Modric and Toni Kroos, are getting older. Real likely need a backup holding midfielder for Casemiro more than a more attacking player like Pogba, but the relationship between Pogba and Zidane has a chance to be special.

Surely Perez would love to ink a Galactico like Pogba, but the issue is price. MARCA reports that Real Madrid officials are wary of United asking for the same price as Eden Hazard, when Pogba isn’t a forward and isn’t as much of an impact player as Hazard. Pogba is an incredible player who would blossom at the Bernabeu after “struggling” (by his high standards) with an awful United team, but the reported 120 million euros would be tough to swallow, even if Real parted ways with a player (or two) to lower the cash price.

Remember, Real have to pinch every penny for Kylian Mbappe, who could cost more than 300 million euros in transfer fees and 30 million euros annually in his contract.

And speaking of salary, MARCA adds that his 16 million euro wages are a concern to officials. Once again, however, Zidane sees it differently.

Ultimately, Zidane may be fighting a losing battle, but it could hinge on how badly Pogba wants out. It seems pretty clear that Pogba wants a new challenge, and it makes sense for him to want to leave a United side that is well out of the Champions League picture.

The issue is whether or not Pogba is worth the price, and if United’s asking price can be lowered significantly enough. Pogba’s talent is not in question, but Real’s need for him and ability to afford him are. This continues to be a gripping transfer saga.