Paul Pogba
Paul Pogba was heavily linked with Barcelona last summer Getty

Barcelona's international adviser, Ariedo Braida, says his club are the top candidates, alongside Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain, to sign Paul Pogba if the French midfielder decides to leave Juventus. However, the club chief added that the Catalans' top priority for the summer window remains the signing of a defender, due to the advanced age of the side's current backline.

The current Champions League title-holders were heavily linked with Pogba in the last summer window. Reports at the time suggested that Barcelona hired AC Milan's then sporting director Braida to take advantage of his Serie A contacts. However, reports over the Frenchman arriving at the Nou Camp have cooled down following the arrival of Arda Turan from Atletico Madrid. Luis Enrique also has Ivan Rakitic, Andres Iniesta, Rafinha Alcantara and Sergi Roberto to call upon in his ranks.

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Braida, however, says that a move for the Juventus star is not completely out of the question.

"I think that Pogba will surely play for a great team but that being said, he already plays for a top club in Juventus," the Barcelona chief said during an interview with Premium Sport, as quoted but Sport Mediaset. "If he is to leave Juve, then I can see him ending up at Barcelona, City or PSG."

Braida also has admitted his admiration for Pogba's teammate Paulo Dybala, claiming that the Argentinian sensation "is a great player" after reports also linked the Catalans with his services on account of the player's great relationship with Lionel Messi.

However, the Barcelona international adviser insisted the club's priorities lie in defence, with Jeremy Mathieu, Javier Mascherano and Thomas Vermaelen all residing the wrong side of 30.. Barcelona technical director Robert Fernandez said something similar recent amid speculations linking the club with the likes of PSG centre-back Marquinos, Athetic Club's Aymeric Laporte and Everton's John Stones.

Braida added: "We need definitely a defender due to the age of our players in that position. This is a great club, we have a great squad with a great coach. It is difficult to say how we can strengthen it further but we must always try to improve. Maybe, just due to the age of our defenders, we need a player there, the backline is the most critical one."