Manchester United Identify Barcelona's $56M Star As Pogba's 'Natural Replacement': Reports

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing FC Barcelona's teenage sensation Gavi during the 2022 summer transfer.

Manchester United are planning to offer 17-year-old Gavi a lucrative contract that is impossible for Barcelona to even match right now, reported Spanish publication Todofichajes.

Barcelona are in a debt of around $1.3 billion. Gavi, who is contracted with Barcelona until 2023, has a release clause of around $56 million. While Barcelona have been trying to tie down Gavi in a long-term contract, the two parties have not reached an agreement yet.

Following Barcelona's Champions League exit and their disaster La Liga run as they are placed eighth in the 2021-22 league table, many players are believed to have kept their contract renewals on hold and Gavi is one of them.

Manchester United most likely are set to lose Paul Pogba on a free transfer next summer and the Red Devils are eyeing Gavi as the Frenchman's "natural replacement," according to Goal.com.

The Red Devils may have to compete with Premier League rivals Liverpool in the race to sign Gavi. It has been reported that the Anfield side is ready to pay Gavi's release clause as the Liverpool board believes it would be a great investment.

Meanwhile, Pogba, who has less than six months left on his current Manchester United contract, has had a new deal proposal on the table since last July. However, the former Juventus star has not responded to it yet.

"I wouldn't say he's not worth keeping. But players have to want to play for a big club like Manchester United. If a player does not want to play Manchester United in the medium or long term, I don't think it makes sense to convince him to change his mind," Man Utd boss Ralf Rangnick said in an interview, Guardian reported.

"But let's wait and see, I have spoken with him [Pogba] for 15 minutes over the phone a few days ago [Tuesday]. Let's have him come back, get fit, train with the team and see where we stand, how the team has developed by then," the interim manager further added.

The German boss has also said that players should not need convincing to stay at a club like Manchester United.

"Man United - massive club. I don't think that anyone in the club would ever need convincing to stay here," said Rangnick.

Pogba currently is out of action with a hamstring injury that he had sustained while on international duty with France. Manchester United will hope to have Pogba back in January.