Joan Laporta is certain that if he is elected once again as Barcelona president that Paul Pogba will end up signing for the Catalan club from Juventus.
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Laporta is hoping to return to Barca’s top post on July 18 and is one of five candidates in the running to replace Josep Maria Bartomeu, who is standing for re-election.
French midfielder Pogba, 22, is one of the most coveted players in Europe after helping Juventus win the domestic double and reach the Champions League final last season.
“The key to his signing is (Pogba’s agent) Mino Raiola,” Laporta said to Spanish radio station Cadena Cope. “It’s true that I have a very good relationship with him and I believe that if I become president, Pogba will play at Barcelona.”
Reports in Spain claim Juve and Barca have already agreed for Pogba, who is under contract with Juve until June 2019, to remain in Turin for another season before the France international makes his move to the Nou Camp next summer.
Laporta insists, however, that the deal is not finalised.
“I think it’s fine that the (Barca) management meet with Juve but the one they have to talk to is Raiola,” Laporta said.
Barca cannot field any new players until January 2016 due to a transfer ban imposed by FIFA for breaching rules on the transfer of players aged under 18. The Catalan club will have to splash out a fee of around €80 million (Dh327.5m).
“He is highly sought-after,” Laporta added. “He has great quality and fits into Barca’s style of play. He costs a lot of money but he is a reference player like Neymar, (Luis) Suarez or Cristiano (Ronaldo), that also cost a lot of money.”
Laporta, 52, previously served as president of Barca from 2003 until 2010. Back in the 2003 elections, Laporta promised to bring David Beckham to Barca while campaigning for the top job. Laporta was elected, but Beckham joined Real Madrid from Manchester United.
