Did Paul Pogba turn down summer moves for a future at Barcelona?

The transfer window may be closed, but the rumours just keep ticking. As always, Transfer Talk has the latest and greatest. See all the summer deals right here.

TOP STORY: Pogba to Barca still in play

Transfer fans may now be finding out why none of the long-mooted summer moves for Paul Pogba to any number of suitors -- Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, et al -- never materialised. The 22-year-old French starlet may have had his sights set on Barcelona all along.

Mundo Deportivo are reporting that a deal for Pogba to move from Turin to Catalonia has been pre-agreed between the two sides and that legitimate summer offers for Pogba were turned back to honor said gentlemen's agreement between Juve's and Barca's sporting directors Beppe Marotta and Ariedo Braida.

This is certainly not a done deal at the moment by any means. For one thing, Barcelona will have to come up with quite the cash outlay to pay Juventus for Pogba -- Chelsea were said to have bid €85 million. Mundo has predicted initial offers to bring the midfielder to Barca will start around €100m.

Manchester City and Barcelona target Paul Pogba 'may head to court' in order to seal Juventus exit

The in-demand France midfielder faces a legal stumbling block ahead of any potential transfer away from Juventus.

Getty

See you in court? Pogba may tackle the legal system

Paul Pogba is reportedly ready to head to the courts in order to seal a transfer away from Juventus.

The in-demand France international has been linked with Manchester City, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain this summer, but no firm bids have materialised.

According to reports in France Football, this is partly down to a wrangle over image rights, with any buying club needing to add a further €15million to any fee in order to transfer the rights from Oualidia Tanazefti, an old friend of Pogba who currently manages them via a company registered in Luxembourg.

Pogba may now look to take up legal action against Tanazefti in order to resolve the deadlock and facilitate a move away from the Italian champions.

If you can't beat them... Pogba has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona

It is thought that the Italian champions are holding out for a fee of €80million for the midfielder, who would also demand a €12million salary.

It was reported earlier this month that Manchester City were leading the race for the Frenchman, who has been linked with a move away from Juventus.

Pogba was an essential part of the Juve team that won Serie A at a canter last term, and made it all the way to the Champions League final.

Paul Pogba: 2014-15

35

Games

10

Goals

9

Assists

Their conquerors in Berlin, Barcelona, are also said to be interested in the former Manchester United man's services, but Nou Camp legend Johan Cruyff said he believes they should steer clear.

"The figures seem to be absurd. €80 million for Pogba is absurd,” he said.

Any move from Barcelona would be a complex one, given their current transfer embargo. New signing Arda Turan will not be allowed to represent the Catalan club until January.

Manchester City to delay Paul Pogba swoop until January

MANCHESTER CITY are prepared to put their bid to sign Paul Pogba on ice until the January transfer window.

They also have been given the impression by the Italian champions that they don’t want to sell Pogba, 22, in this transfer window, having already seen Carlos Tevez and Arturo Vidal depart from Turin.

So City are prepared to wait, either until January or even next summer.

Juventus have also knocked back a £60m bid from Barcelona for Pogba.

City, though, are continuing the £50m pursuit of Wolfsburg winger Kevin De Bruyne, 24.

Meanwhile, Man City centre-half Eliaquim Mangala and Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho have been backed to come good this season.

The French duo arrived in the Premier League with big reputations – Mangala cost City £32m and the Reds spent £18m on Sakho – but they have struggled to convince.

But ex-France boss Raymond Domenech believes they are both now ready to prove themselves.

He said: “Mangala must be better in the second year.

“He made some mistakes, so he has to correct his mistakes."