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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Jacob Murtagh

Barcelona chief opens up on failed Paul Pogba transfer bid ahead of Man Utd tie

Barcelona chief Josep Maria Bartomeu has opened up on the club's botched bid to sign Paul Pogba.

The Spanish giants expressed an interested in bringing the midfielder to the Nou Camp back in 2015 while he was playing at Juventus .

However, Pogba signed for Manchester United instead the following summer in a stunning £89million deal.

Bartomeu has revealed they were priced out of entering a bidding war with the Red Devils.

He told ESPN : "In the summer of 2015, Paul Pogba was playing in Turin and we simply told Juve that, if one day they decide to sell the player, we would be interested.

Paul Pogba has been linked with a move away (Getty Images)

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"When they sold the player, they told us what the offer would have to be and we couldn't afford that amount of money at the time.

"So he went to United, and he's making them better as a team because he's one of the stars of the world of football right now."

Pogba is still being linked with a move to Barcelona and their La Liga rivals Real Madrid .

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"I prefer not to talk about players from other teams because I am sure there are also players at Barca that can make other teams better," Bartomeu added.

"What I have to recognise is that United, in the last few years, have created a very good group, good players that are coming through.

"I am sure next season they will be candidates for the Premier League, and this year for the Champions League."

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