Real Madrid may be forced to pay some way above the current actual value for Paul Pogba if they are to land the 26-year-old this summer, according to Spanish publication AS .
A Pogba move away from Manchester United during this transfer window has become one of the most talked-about and longest-running sagas in recent memory, ever since the World Cup winner expressed his desire to take on a "new challenge" to reporters in Japan last month.
His old club Juventus and Madrid became the immediate front-runners for his signature, but with Juve reportedly now having dropped their interest Los Blancos are the hot favourites for his signature.
United are allegedly not listening to any offers under £180m for the player , but according to a study by AS that fee is almost £100m above the real value of the player.
AS looked at the websites Transfermarkt and CIES Football Observatory , which use data and analysis to provide transfer value estimations.
Transfermarkt put his value at €100m (£89.7m), while Football Observatory believe it is around €105m (£94.2m). Therefore looking at the two together AS believe Pogba's value is €102.5m (£92m).
In the current age of inflated transfer fees, however, Madrid are looking at paying almost double that if they are to see Pogba playing in their colours next year.
AS believe if Madrid decide Pogba is too expensive, Tottenham's Christian Eriksen, Fabian of Napoli or Ajax star Donny van de Beek could be alternatives that manager Zinedine Zidane will consider.
Eriksen's contract at Spurs expires at the end of next season, and the Dane has admitted he would be open to leaving this summer.
Fabian, meanwhile, impressed in Serie A last season having started his career in La Liga for Real Betis, and van de Beek starred during Ajax's memorable run to the Champions League semi-finals.
