Real Madrid have issued a statement denying a report in an Italian newspaper that they have agreed a deal to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus.
The France midfielder has been the subject of various rumours after his outstanding displays this season, with Real and Barcelona thought to be favourites to sign him this summer.
On Wednesday, the Italian newspaper La Stampa claimed that the reigning European champions had agreed a five-year contract worth €10m a season with Juventus. However, Real took the unusual step of releasing a statement on Thursday to deny that any meetings with either Pogba or his agent Mino Raiola had taken place.
The statement read: “Following the reports published in the Italian newspaper La Stampa concerning an alleged offer from Real Madrid for the player Paul Pogba, the club wishes to state the following: Real Madrid have had no contact either with Juventus or the player’s agent and, as a consequence, the reports published in this newspaper are completely false.”
Manchester City have also been linked with a move for Pogba, who extended his contract with Juventus in October until 2019.
