Liverpool Have Held Paul Pogba Discussions Claims Agent

According to Paul Pogba’s agent, Liverpool are one of a handful of clubs he has held discussions about his client with. With the player looking a near certainty to end up at Real Madrid, though, it’s probably best that nobody get too excited about a couple of conversations in the past tense.

"It’s not a secret," Mino Raiola, also the agent for struggling Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli, who spent the past season on loan at AC Milan, told the Italian press today when asked about Pogba’s future. "Every year I meet with Madrid, but also with United and City, Barcelona, Liverpool, Chelsea. That’s my job."

It’s hard to imagine those Pogba talks going very far given Liverpool’s lack of Champions League football heading into next season. Even if they had secured qualification, though, it’s nearly impossible to imagine a deal for the 23-year-old rising star would actually have been on the table given what he will cost.

Juventus are said to be holding out for a transfer fee in the €120-140M range, which would make Pogba the new most expensive player in the world. At that price, it’s likely even the likes of Chelsea, United, and City would baulk and look elsewhere. At that price, it’s likely only the Spanish giants are real options.

And, by most accounts—including Raiola’s—it would appear Real Madrid are solid favourites to land him. Still, for those wondering about Liverpool’s ambitions, the club did at least take the time to ask about Paul Pogba. Just minus the Champions League and at a cost of around £100M, it would never have gone much past asking.

"My relationship with Real Madrid is again clear and professional," added Raiola. "Now there is serious dialogue. It’s positive."