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Barcelona refuse to rule out signing Paul Pogba from Manchester United

Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu neither confirmed nor denied reports that the club is preparing to sign Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba.

Mundo Deportivo claim Pogba, who is contracted to United until June 2021, wants to leave Old Trafford this summer because of a strained relationship with coach Jose Mourinho.

According to the Barcelona-based publication, Barca, who are in contact with Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, will be patient and try to sign the France international before the transfer window ends.

"I never speak about [specific] names, you know it," Bartomeu told Spanish TV station TVE after Barca's 2-1 win over Sevilla in the Spanish Supercup on Sunday night, when asked about Pogba.

"Furthermore, there is respect for other clubs. The truth is that there are 20 days remaining in the transfer window. I do not say it for this player [Pogba].

"This player is in his team and playing a competition. There are still 20 days left, we will see which players can leave and which players can come. We'll see.

"It is better you ask about the topic of players to [Barca technical director Eric] Abidal, [assistant technical director Ramon] Planes or [sporting manager] Pep Segura. We still have days remaining in the market to take action if needed."

The La Liga and Copa del Rey champions have made five summer signings in Arturo Vidal, Malcom, Clement Lenglet, Arthur and Moussa Wague.

Pogba, 25, wore the captain's armband and scored in United's Premier League season-opening 2-1 win over Leicester City at the weekend.

A World Cup winner this summer with France, Pogba did not kill speculation regarding his future when stating after Saturday's game: "There are things that I cannot say, otherwise I will get fined."

United paid Juventus €105 million (£89.3m) to acquire Pogba two years ago.