Barcelona wary of Paul Pogba transfer and suspect Manchester United star and agent Mino Raiola of power play tactics

Barcelona would be interested in signing Paul Pogba from Manchester United, but the Catalans are not willing to break the bank for the World Cup-winning midfielder and are wary of making a move.

Reports have emerged over the past few days that the French international, who returned to Old Trafford from Juventus in an £89.3 million deal in 2016, could move to Camp Nou in a sensational transfer this summer.

Contrary to some speculation, however, Barca have not bid for the 25-year-old, although the player has instructed his agent Mino Raiola to look at other options following a tumultuous time in Manchester.

For the most part, Pogba has been unable to replicate his Juventus performances in a United shirt and has asked manager Jose Mourinho to play him in a more advanced position.

But the Portuguese has questioned the midfielder publicly on a number of occasions and even picked youngster Scott McTominay instead at times last season – including in the Champions League last-16 first-leg meeting with Sevilla.

Asked about Pogba’s absence in an FA Cup win over Huddersfield, Mourinho went on to praise McTominay (below) and appeared to aim a dig at the Frenchman in the process.

“Honestly I think Scott deserves more than what he’s getting,” he told MUTV. “I think maybe because he’s this kind of kid profile: a normal haircut, no tattoos, no big cars, no big watches. A humble kid, who arrived at the club when he was nine or 10.”

And even after Pogba helped France win the World Cup last month, Mourinho’s praise came with a pointed message. “I hope he understands why he was very good,” the Portuguese said.

“That's the point about his performance level and contribution to a winning team: it is to understand why he was so good especially in the second part of the competition, where he was absolutely brilliant.”

Ahead of the Manchester derby in April, meanwhile, City boss Pep Guardiola was asked about his poor relationship with Raiola and surprisingly revealed that the Italian agent had offered Pogba to his club in January.

Barca believe something similar is happening now. And although there is said to be enthusiasm among the players at Camp Nou to sign the Frenchman, the Catalans are wary that they are being used in a power play by the midfielder and his agent to engineer improved terms or secure a more advanced playing position in the side.

There is also the question of money for the Spanish champions. Signing Pogba would represent an outlay of up to €200m in terms a fee and matching his current wages of around €12m after tax would mean paying out double that amount overall due to fiscal laws in Spain.

Having brought in Arthur, Clement Lenglet, Malcom and Pogba’s former Juventus team-mate, Arturo Vidal (above, with Pogba) already this summer, it is difficult to see how Barca could find such funds and a move for Ajax’s 21-year-old midfielder Frenkie de Jong remains the priority at this point.