Barcelona Rumors: Pogba Could Become Laporta's 'Beast' Signing

Barcelona might consider exploring a move for one of Manchester United’s biggest stars.

A lot has been going on at Barcelona this summer. Apart from Lionel Messi’s stunning cut-price contract extension, a number of transfer rumors are still on the side.

While big-name Barca stars such as Antoine Griezmann and Ousmane Dembele are already headlining the said rumors, the club’s president Joan Laporta has dropped another something to talk about as he eyes to land a “beast” signing this summer, Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo reported.

Laporta’s plan to pursue a “beast” signing is a move to stun the “media.”

What’s even more interesting is that one name that stood out as potential target Manchester United’s Paul Pogba, the report said.

The “extremely complicated economic situation” of Barcelona makes it quite “impossible” to sign an expensive player like Pogba.

However, the Catalans have been working “tirelessly” to figure out a “powerful medium” that can help them penetrate the market, the report added.

Pogba has always been liked to transfer rumors almost every offseason. However, this summer is “perhaps the most crucial period of his time at Manchester United,” ESPN reported.

The World Cup winner’s current contract with Manchester United is due to expire in June 2022, and it is now a “make-or-break time” for Pogba and the Red Devils.

As things stand, the Frenchman should ink a new deal this summer. If not, Manchester United could lose him for free after one year, the renowned outlet noted.

Should Barcelona decide to pursue Pogba, things could possibly progress as early as Jan. 1, 2022, the exact date when the player could negotiate a free agent move to a club outside the English Premier League.

Aside from Barca, Ligue 1 side Paris Saint-Germain is also chasing Pogba. An earlier report said the French side has already held talks with his agent Mino Raiola.

Raiola has always been outspoken about Pogba’s situation at Manchester United.

The rumors linking Pogba to a move away from Old Trafford may have already been widespread these days, but it all stemmed from Raiola’s earlier claim that his client is “unhappy” at Manchester.

"It's better to speak out clearly, look forward and avoid wasting time to find culprits,” Raiola said in December 2020. "Paul [Pogba] is unhappy at Man Utd, he can't manage to express himself like he wants to and like people expect him to.”

"He needs to change team, he needs a change of scenery,” he added. “He has a contract that will expire in a year and a half, in the summer of 2022, but the best solution for all parties is a transfer in the next [summer] window.”