The stance from the media closest to Real Madrid has long been that Zinedine Zidane very much wants Paul Pogba signing, but that Florentino Perez isn’t quite as keen.
Manchester United would ask a huge fee for their player, and Perez doesn’t feel the Frenchman is worth it. He’s further concerned about the wages Madrid would have to commit themselves to, and how Pogba may stand in the way of young midfielders coming through at the club.
On top of all of that, Perez isn’t convinced over what sort of role the midfielder would play, having seen United, and France at times, struggle to find a system which both gets the best out of Pogba and doesn’t hinder others too much.
There hasn’t been a great deal of arguing with that stance, with the media seeming to think it’s fair enough.
Now Marca’s Manuel Julia takes a different look and makes an impassioned plea for Zidane to be backed: ‘There is always a debate between what Zidane wants, and what the club offers. In this case Pogba. They tell him about Eriksen, Fabian, Van de Beek… But Zidane loves Pogba. They explain that Valverde has achieved what the Frenchman has, and for less money. But Zidane says he loves Pogba. He already said it a long time ago. Maybe they thought Manchester United’s stubbornness would make him forget it. But Zidane kept saying he loves Pogba.’
Manuel Julia now insists ‘the club must listen to him’.‘He took Madrid out of the shadows and raised it to heaven. He did it again with three Champions Leagues and a La Liga. Now he has demonstrated his wisdom again. Pay attention to Zidane. Now, tomorrow, or the day after tomorrow, bring Pogba at once.’
Should others join Marca in taking Zidane’s side on this, then the pressure will grow on Perez.
