Sell to buy: How Barcelona plan to finance a deal for Juventus star Paul Pogba
Barcelona believe that the signing of Paul Pogba is feasible and that it is now just a quesiton of money. Juventus would sell and Barça are the player's preferred option, but the Catalan club need the necessary financial muscle to complete any deal. Barça have a set amount put aside for signings, but it is not enough to sign the French midfielder. They could, though, increase that pot with the sales of other players this summer. They would need to bring in 50 million euros to help close a deal for Pogba, who is asking for 12 million euros net per season.
Both coaches and directors at the club think that Pogba has an enormous future. He's expensive, but for the performances he could bring, they don't mind. For months this has been in the pipe line, but now has arrived the moment of truth and now is the time for people to show their cards. Everything will focus on the offers Juve receive for the player, who asks that Barça make an economic effort to get the transfer done. It would could over 80 million euros and, with the salary included, would be more than 200 million euros including the five-year contract.
Barça want to reach an agreement with Juventus this summer and leave Pogba in Italy for a season. Juve want a concrete offer, because there are already clubs, Manchester City and PSG, making serious bids. It would be difficult for Barça to compete with those two clubs this summer, but next summer, they could.
Aleix Vidal has already been purchased for 18 million euros and it may cost a little more to bring Denis Suarez back. It's more than likely that a midfielder will also be signed to replace Xavi, too, leaving very little money left to be spent. Therefore, the kitty would rise if Barça could sell players for 50 million euros.
The most likely to fetch money is Pedro. He renewed his contract recently, but his intention is still to leave the club if he can get more money elsewhere. Vidal's arrival could impede him further, while his agents have received interest from PSG. Luis Enrique would like him to stay, but Barça will sell him if they get an offer of around 20 million euros.
With Marc Bartra, there will be no negotiations. The club has to wait and see if the player pays his 12 million euro release clause to leave. The manager has spoken with him to convince him to stay, but Bartra is studying his other offers. This week or next, he will decide his future, and he could leave, like Gerard Deulofeu.
Deulofeu knew that he would not get minutes under Luis Enrique and Barça have allowed him to leave. He wanted to go to Everton, and the English club will pay six million euros for his services. The deal is advanced and could be completed this week.
Barça have also communicated to Martin Montoya that he can leave if an offer arrives. The right-back has interest from Italy and England, but the big problem is the cost. The club want between six and eight million euros for him. Juventus and Inter Milan are very keen, while there's an offer from Liverpool, too. This could drag on, as could Adriano's case. The Brazilian wants to play more and is ready to swap clubs. Barça will let him leave for around six million euros and Roma is an option.
Goalkeeper Jordi Masip could leave, too. That would be on a loan with an option to buy, with Barça also maintaining an option to re-buy him.
'Operation Exit' will not affect the team's performance, as it is players that have not had the chance to play. In the case of Bartra and Pedro, Luis Enrique is reluctrant to let them leave. He is satisified with them, but he also understands the position of the players and the club, who need money to put down on Pogba.
Work now focuses on convincing Mino Raiola, Pogba's agent, ro reduce the 12 million euro salary that he is demanding for his player. To play for Barça is a priority for Pogba and that should also be reflected in his demands. If they get the OK and everything drops into place, Barça will be ready to sign the player on an economic level.
