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Barcelona had first option on Man Utd star Pogba

Barcelona had first option on Man Utd star Pogba


Barcelona had first option on Man Utd star Pogba

Barcelona claim they chose not to sign Pogba this summer

FC Barcelona had a first option to sign Paul Pogba this summer, but decided not to make a move for the French midfielder, according to reports.

Paul Pogba joined Manchester United this summer in a world record breaking £89 million deal from Juventus, rejoining the club he left as a teenager in 2012.

But the Mirror is reporting that Barcelona could have signed the player this summer had they wanted to, due to a first option they had on the player thanks to an agreement made with Juventus last year.

Barça director Albert Soler has confirmed that the Spanish champions had the option to sign Pogba, but that they informed Juventus in February that they would not be looking to sign the 23-year-old this summer, freeing him up to make his record breaking return to Old Trafford.

Barcelona instead decided to spread their budget around by purchasing a string of young player to add depth and competition for places within their squad.

An outlay of around £100 million has seen the Blaugrana bring in Dutch international goalkeeper Jasper Cillessen from Ajax, French defenders Samuel Umtiti and Lucas Digne from Lyon and Paris Saint Germain respectively, talented midfielders Denis Suárez and André Gomes from Villarreal and Valencia respectively, and, most recently, the €30 million signing of 23-year-old striker Paco Alcácer from Valencia.