Real Madrid are set to derail Barcelona’s attempts to convince Juventus star Paul Pogba to move to the Catalan giants in 2016.

With continual rumours that the French ace is being heavily courted by the Blaugrana, the Madrid based team have sent a representative to make an initial contact with the midfielder in the hope a relationship can be struck between player and club.

Spanish TV channel Neox has reported that the official traveled to Italy last week, to sound out Pogba and ask whether he would be happy for Los Merengues to begin discussing terms of any potential transfer from Serie A to La Liga, with his current employers.

The 21-year-old joined the Bianconeri in 2012, having left previous side Manchester United who failed to negotiate a new contract with the French international.