Barcelona explain last year's deal with Juventus for Pogba

Barcelona had the signing of Paul Pogba in their hands last summer, a player who this year has signed for Manchester United in a world record 104 million euro deal. 

Director Albert Soler, who was in Turin last year with Ariedo Braida for talks with Juventus, explained on Thursday what Barça spoke about with the Italian club. 

"Last year we agreed with Juve that if they wanted to sell Pogba during that window we would have priority - that was what we had," he admitted. 

"Braida helped us get that priority, but Juve did not want to sell and we did not need to try and push it. 

"We were in an electoral period and a signing of that calibre could not be made by a provisional board."

Barça decided not to follow up on their interest in Pogba this summer, with midfielders Denis Suarez and Andre Gomes joining the squad instead. 

With the money United spent on Pogba, plus a little bit more, the Catalan club were able to sign six players. 

Soler spoke about that change of focus: "If we would have spent 100 million euros on a player, we could only have signed one. 

"And with 122 million euros we've signed six. We have changed the philosophy a little: we've gone for younger players."