The turmoil at Barcelona, where Ronald Koeman was fired as head coach on Wednesday, has direct consequences for Real Madrid, at least as far as the summer transfer window is concerned. Los Blancos will have less competition in their pursuit of major targets Erling Braut Haaland and Paul Pogba, both represented by super agent Mino Raiola.
Despite Raiola’s excellent relationship with Barça president Joan Laporta, the Italian - an agent who exerts a huge influence over his clients' choice of destination - is not convinced of the merits of taking two of his top players to the Camp Nou right now.
There had been a remote possibility that Haaland and Pogba would end up at Barcelona if the club managed to get several high-earning players of the wage bill at the end of the season. Revenue has been reestablished, and Laporta was looking for additional financing to try and seal the statement signing of Haaland, a player he wanted to make the cornerstone of the new Barça project. His good relationship with Raiola was key to this.
As for Pogba, the Manchester United midfielder will be out of contract next summer and, aside from commissions and the 28-year-old’s salary (he’s keen to maintain the 15m euros net he currently picks up at Old Trafford), he looks like being available for free.
As has been reported by AS, Madrid have made excellent progress in their attempts to snare a player who they do now see as a good transfer-market opportunity, but haven’t signed anything yet (and, according to FIFA regulations, won’t be able to do so until 1 January). In this situation, Barça and their good rapport with Raiola were a threat.
