PAUL POBGA has reportedly held a ‘secret meeting’ with Barcelona director Eric Abidal over a proposed transfer from Manchester United.
Manchester United midfielder Pogba has endured two mixed years at Old Trafford since his arrival from Juventus.
The player is currently on holiday in the United States after winning the World Cup with France.
But his stint at United may be coming to a close after fresh revelations emerged in the Italian media today.
According to newspaper Tuttosport, Pogba met with Barca’s new technical director Abidal in Beverly Hills.
The France star is supposedly on Barcelona’s summer wish list – although a move before Spain’s August 31 transfer deadline may prove unlikely.
United manager Jose Mourinho has endured a fractious relationship with Pogba over their two seasons together in Manchester.
Things came to a head midway through last season when the Portuguese boss dropped the former world’s most expensive player from his starting XI.
Juventus emerged as suitors of Pogba this summer but the £105m signing of Cristiano Ronaldo from Real Madrid meant they could not also afford another superstar deal.
Tuttosport was the newspaper that broke the Ronaldo story towards the start of July – but equally they claimed Lionel Messi could be heading to Inter Milan!
Today’s report says Abidal and Pogba met not at a luxury hotel but in a private villa at the request of Barcelona – adding a sense of mystery to the meeting.
The Barca director – new to the role this summer – is supposedly wary of being seen with a player contracted to another club.
He has already overseen the capture of Malcom from Bordeaux – a deal that almost didn’t take place after Roma initially agreed a fee with the Ligue 1 club and led to Barcelona hastily making a counter offer.