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Man Utd transfer news: Barcelona to make Philippe Coutinho style swoop for Paul Pogba
BARCELONA will relentlessly pursue Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba in the same way they did with Philippe Coutinho when he was at Liverpool, according to reports.
Jose Mourinho hails Paul Pogba’s ‘MONSTER’ performance
Pogba was linked with a move to Barcelona over the summer and the Catalan giants offered a cash sum of £45million plus Yerry Mina and Andres Gomes before the Premier League transfer window shut last Thursday.
Reports had suggested that Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, was trying to drive a deal to the Nou Camp.
Pogba and Mourinho’s relationship has been fractious over the past few months, although the Frenchman was given the skipper’s armband and he turned in an assured display in the 2-1 win over Leicester on Friday night.
However, according to the Daily Telegraph, Barcelona will try to sign Pogba in much the same way they did with Coutinho.
There are things, and there are things that I cannot say, otherwise I will get fined
Last summer, Barca had several bids for Coutinho rejected when he was at Liverpool.
But the Reds caved in and sold the Brazilian for £146million in January.
The Telegraph claim Barca have privately conceded they won’t be able to sign Pogba this month.
But it is suggested they are likely to return for him in the New Year or even next summer.
It is suggested they will monitor the midfielder’s relationship with Mourinho and will make a swoop if given any encouragement.
Pogba dropped a cryptic clue over his future when he said: “There are things, and there are things that I cannot say, otherwise I will get fined.
"I always give my best for the fans, for the teammates and for the people that trust me.
"With the players that we have, of course we're Manchester United, we have to look at the top of the league. That's obvious.
“I mean, Manchester United, we have to show on the pitch, we have to play well, we have to be focused and we need people to trust us."
The Spanish transfer window closes on August 31.
Meanwhile, Barca beat Sevilla 2-1 on Sunday night to win the Spanish Super Cup.
Lionel Messi captained the club to a record 33rd victory in the competition.