Former Real Madrid president Ramon Calderon has warned his former club not to sign Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba in January, just as the midfielder’s injury return has been delayed AGAIN.
France international Pogba continues to be linked with a move from Old Trafford to Spain as his lengthy absence from the pitch goes on.
Pogba has so far spent 11 weeks on the sidelines with an ankle injury, which has seen him miss the Reds Devils’ past 16 games in all competitions.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has maintained the Frenchman will be back in action soon, but reports suggest Pogba is actually desperate to join Real Madrid in the January transfer window and is refusing to play for United again until he gets his move.
The manager has repeatedly denied those claims, however he revealed on Tuesday the star’s return has again been delayed.
Solskjaer had hoped to have Pogba back over the Christmas period, but the boss has now confirmed he will not play in Wednesday’s Carabao Cup quarter-final against Colchester United at Old Trafford after coming down with illness.
That is despite the player being given permission to attend his brother’s wedding on France on Friday, where he was pictured and filmed dancing with guests.
Real coach Zinedine Zidane is widely known to be keen on bringing his countryman to Spain and transfer reports have claimed he is willing to include Gareth Bale in a swap deal to make the move happen.
But Calderon has told talkSPORT swapping the Welsh ace for the World Cup winner would be a ‘mistake’.
“We’ve always had bad experiences with this transfer window,” Calderon said on Tuesday’s Alan Brazil Sports Breakfast. “There are no real players available for good teams like Real Madrid and Barcelona.
“They are talking here about a swap – Bale or James [Rodriguez] for Pogba. But I think they are only rumours.
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“It is true Zidane is looking for having Pogba; for a long time he has said that publicly.
“But I think it would be a mistake, especially to let Bale go.
“If he is fit and motivated, I think he is irreplaceable for us.”
