We couldn't compete with Man United in signing Pogba in 2016 - Barcelona President Bartomeu

Manchester United and France midfielder Paul Pogba - Getty

Josep Maria Bartomeu has told ESPN FC that Barcelona could not afford to compete with Manchester United to sign Paul Pogba when he left Juventus in 2016.


On Wednesday, English side Manchester United and Spanish side Barcelona will lock horns in Champions League at the Old Trafford. Had things worked out differently, the France international could have been playing for the La Liga toppers.

Barca held meetings with Juventus and Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, in 2015, reaching an agreement that allowed them to match any offer Juve accepted.

But when United agreed to pay £90 million for Pogba a year later, they dropped out of the race.

Bartomeu, Barcelona President, said: "In the summer of 2015, Paul Pogba was playing in Turin and we simply told Juve that, if one day they decide to sell the player, we would be interested."

"When they sold the player, they told us what the offer would have to be and we couldn't afford that amount of money at the time.

Pogba celebrates after scoring for Man Utd - Getty

"So he went to United, and he's making them better as a team because he's one of the stars of the world of football right now."

The Barca President added: "I prefer not to talk about players from other teams because I am sure there are also players at Barca that can make other teams better.

"What I have to recognise is that United, in the last few years, have created a very good group, good players that are coming through. I am sure next season they will be candidates for the Premier League, and this year for the Champions League."

Real Madrid and Barca have been touted as possible destinations should Pogba leave United in the future.