Manchester City and Real Madrid will fight to sign Paul Pogba despite fears the Juventus midfielder has his heart set on a move to Barcelona.

City have yet to make a formal bid for Pogba with club sources denying reports in Italy on Monday that they have offered £82million for the former Manchester United trainee.

They are unlikely to go that high for the 22-year-old Frenchman but are still determined to pull out all the stops to bring him to the Etihad.

Manchester City target Paul Pogba was pictured alongside United's new signing Memphis Depay on Monday

Manchester City target Paul Pogba was on international duty for France against Albania at the weekend

City have denied reports in Italy that they have made an audacious £82million big for Pogba

Pogba was key as Juventus did the double and reached the Champions League final last season

However, City are aware that Pogba is understood to favour joining Barca — a move that could not take place until January due to a transfer embargo hanging over the European champions — and have drawn up a contingency list of other targets just in case.

And Barcelona presidential candidate, Augsti Benedito, has claimed he has spoken to Pogba about moving to the Nou Camp. He told 8TV's: 'I have spoken to Pogba. First I contacted Andrea Agnelli then spoke directly with the player. They have proposed an annual salary of 12 million euros after tax and a transfer fee of 80 million.'

Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has hailed Pogba as the 'complete player' and says the club are interested in bringing him to the Bernabeu.

He told radio station RTL: 'He has everything. I think that he’s fantastic. What I like about him is that he has it all.

'He is a complete player who also has the ability to score goals because he likes to get forward. In terms of footballing qualities, he is extraordinary.

'A lot of clubs are interested in him and so are Real. It is natural that talented players are of interest to all the big clubs.'

Pogba was pictured alongside new Manchester United signing Memphis Depay - who the France midfielder could be lining up against in a Manchester derby next season - as the pair appeared to be relaxing on their summer holiday following their international commitments.

France manager Didier Deschamps issues instructions to Pogba during training last week

Juve boss Massimiliano Allegri admitted on Monday that it will be hard to keep the player in Turin.

‘A Pogba transfer? Obviously it would be a decision made by the club and not by the technical team. When you talk about certain figures, it’s difficult to say no.’

City have also watched Hoffenheim forward Roberto Firmino, who has been strongly linked with a move to the Premier League, but the Brazil forward is not understood to be among their primary targets.

Pogba's reputation has grown since leaving Manchester United and he could now join their neighbours



