Barça should be Juventus' first-choice option for Paul Pogba sale

Barça should be Juventus' first-choice option for Paul Pogba sale

Barça will launch their first offensive in the coming hours in order to win the battle for the signing of Paul Pogba. Sporting director Albert Soler will travel to Turin in order to meet with Ariedo Braida and then meet with representatives from Juventus with a view to reaching an agreement for the midfielder. Soler will head to Italy full of optimism, with the club's offer the closest in line to what the Old Lady want, both financially and in a sporting sense.

The fact that Barça are unable to register players before January 2016, has in this instance turned in their favour. Juve are interested in making the most out of their player before selling him for a huge fee, but he could continue at the club for another season. The Blaugrana's proposal is close to the figures of their rivals, with the advantage of the Bianconeri not losing their player until July 2016. It is perfect for their interests.

Barça will offer 80 million euros, plus 10 million euros as variables. Their offer will be complimented by a loan deal back to Juventus for a season. On an economic level, Man City overrule them by putting 100 million euros on the table. Also, their intention is to take the player this summer in order to try and challenge for the Premier League and push beyond the Champions League knockout stages. Juve are happy with the money offered, but would prefer Pogba to stay for another year on the sporting side of things.

The other potential suitor is Chelsea. Mourinho's side are offering 50 million euros, plus Oscar, a top player and one who would be a good swap for Pogba. However, this deal would have the same problems as Man City's, with the Blues wanting to take the player this summer and not wait until 2016. Only Barcelona are considering a year-long loan deal back to Juventus.

PSG are another club said to be sniffing around, but are waiting for UEFA's decision with regard to Financial Fair Play. As it stands, PSG will only be able to spend 60 million euros. The club have already invested 12 million euros in the signing of Serge Aurier of Toulouse, and can therefore only spend 48 million euros on further signings if they don't make any sales. Edinson Cavani, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Marco Verratti have already expressed their desire to remain in Paris and PSG don't have any other options to sell for big money. PSG will only be in the race, if UEFA consider that the club are working at a good economic level and can raise their transfer budget of 60 million euros as a result.

Juventus are rejuvenating their squad, but don't want to start the summer by getting rid of Pogba. Carlos Tevez has gone to Boca Juniors, Andrea Pirlo has signed for New York City FC, while Arturo Vidal is close to moving to Arsenal. Massimiliano Allegri will continue without three key players and to lose a fourth in Pogba would be too much for a side who played in the Champions League final.

The current situation is very favourable for Barça, although there could be a radical change at any moment. The club's delegation in Turin is to lay the foundation for an agreement and ensure that the deal stays present until the 18th of July when a new president can make a move.

For now, the two favourites for the election are Josep Maria Bartomeu and Joan Laporta, who have both publicly shared their interest in signing Pogba. Soler and Braida's job is to ensure that Juventus sign with Barcelona and make them their first-choice in the event of a transfer. At the same time, the negotiations must also involved Mino Raiola, the player's agent, who according to Laporta already holds the key to Pogba's future.

Raiola wants his player to keep progressing both in a sporting and economic sense, with Italian football having a limit. The Premier League or the Spanish top flight are two championships which the player would want to feature in during the future. Barça have the advantage, but both Juve and Raiola can change their minds if Manchester City or Chelsea put down even more mind-boggling offers. Soler and Braida must fight with Juventus until July 18th, with the hope that both of the English giants don't raise their offers to an unbeatable level.