Real Madrid ends attempts to sign French midfielder Pogba

Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has ruled out the possibility of signing Juventus football club's French midfielder Paul Pogba for sporting reasons, Spanish sports newspaper Marca reported on Wednesday.

The newspaper added that Zidane ruled out the idea of signing his countryman after the European championship, which France lost in the final against Portugal 0-1.

The coach said that Pogba is not on his priority list, and negotiations with the midfielder's agent Mino Raiola have been terminated, reports Efe.

As he sets up camp in Canada to prepare for the new season, Zidane said that he is happy with his squad.

Marca stressed that Real Madrid are already looking forward to boosting its midfield and seeks to include the Portuguese Andre Gomes from Valencia.

The Spanish daily added that Pogba is getting closer to Manchester United under Portuguese coach Jose Mourinho, as confirmed on Tuesday by the U.K. press, noting that the Red Devils have already arranged 104 million euros ($114 million) to sign the player.

Also, Real Madrid is studying the possibility of signing AC Milan's 17-year-old goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma, who succeeded in securing the starting position at the Italian giant, according to Marca.

--IANS

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