Barcelona confirm interest in signing Juventus star Paul Pogba despite transfer ban

Barcelona have confirmed their interest in signing Paul Pogba, despite the fact that are currently under a transfer ban.

Pogba, 21, is arguably the most sought-after player in world football this summer, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea among the sides credited with an interest in him.

Barcelona, who celebrated their fifth Champions League triumph in beating Pogba's Juventus on 6 June, are hopeful of luring the France international to the Nou Camp, despite being banned from registering new players until 2016 after breaking rules regarding the transfer of U18 footballers.

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu told Telefoot: "It is true that Pogba is a leading target of ours and obviously we are interested, but I can't say any more. We are forbidden to recruit players until January, so I can't talk about it."

While Juventus remain adamant the ex-Manchester United midfielder will remain at the club, Pogba's agent Mino Raiola hinted the player may have already played his last game for La Vecchia Signora.

Raiola has also previously suggested a fee in excess of £85m (€115.9m) may be needed to prise his client from the Serie A champions.

Meanwhile, Barcelona's transfer ban has not discouraged them from doing business ahead of next year's January transfer window, when they can once register new players.

The club have signed Aleix Vidal from Sevilla for a reported fee of £16m, with stories suggesting the player will join the club immediately despite not being able to play until January.

They have also held talks with Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan, but reports suggest they have ended their interest in signing the Germany international, making Manchester United favourites to sign the midfielder.