Barcelona GIVE UP on Paul Pogba but star will try to copy Coutinho plan

Posted Thursday, August 30, 2018 by Express.co.uk

Barcelona GIVE UP on Paul Pogba but star will try to copy Coutinho plan
Barcelona have ended their interest in Paul Pogba for this summer (Image: GETTY)

MANCHESTER UNITED can let out a sigh of relief as Barcelona have allegedly given up on signing Paul Pogba this summer, but they could face another battle in the New Year.

With Andres Iniesta and Paulinho leaving Barcelona, the Spanish giants have been linked with making a high profile signing in central midfield all summer.

Arturo Vidal and Arthur joined this summer but they have still been linked with a move for one more player with the transfer window closing in just two days.

Despite the Premier League window closing earlier this month, Barcelona have consistently been linked with making a bid for Paul Pogba.

Reports have suggested the France international has grown disenfranchised with life at Old Trafford and his relationship with Jose Mourinho is said to be at breaking point.

But Spanish publication Sport claim Barcelona have given up on trying to sign Pogba before Friday’s transfer deadline.

Manchester United are refusing to sell due to the fact they can’t bring in a replacement.

However, the report goes on to state Pogba still wants to leave for the Nou Camp to join up with Lionel Messi and Co.

And the 25-year-old is said to be ready to follow in Philippe Coutinho’s footsteps by trying to force through a move in the January transfer window.

The Brazilian was close to a move to Barcelona 12 months ago, only for Liverpool to issue a statement saying the midfielder would not be sold.

But the Merseyside club eventually yielded five months later when the La Liga club came calling with a huge £142million bid.

Pogba was involved last night as United suffered a humiliating 3-0 home defeat to Tottenham.

It is now just the one win from their opening three games and Pogba can’t understand what went wrong against Mauricio Pochettino’s side.

"Even we don't understand what happened. We started the game really well, we conceded two goals in the second-half," he said.

"The first goal was a real blow, we didn't understand why, because we had the game in hand. One goal, two…we kept pushing, we had chances, and we conceded the third.

"The fans kept pushing us, they were really behind us. We feel really sorry for them, very disappointed, we wanted to do better.''