Real Madrid's plan B if Pogba move fails: Sissoko or Verratti

Real Madrid still hopeful of landing Pogba

Sissoko

• Watford
• centrocampista
• Francia

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Real Madrid continue to work away behind the scenes on signing Paul Pogba this summer, with Zidane having asked Madrid boss Florentino Pérez to bring the French midfielder in, but it looks increasingly likely it will be Manchester United who sign the player.

Real Madrid are balking at the eye-watering 110 million euros (or more) Mourinho is willing to splurge on the player, plus another 25 million euros or so to his agent Mino Raiola. 

Real Madrid's Plan B: Sissoko

To cover the likely scenario where Pogba doesn't come to Madrid, Bernabéu bosses are looking at other cheaper options as their plan B. Moussa Sissoko is one name in the mix, with English press reporting that Real Madrid have an offer prepared to send to Newcastle as soon as United and Juventus announce the Pogba transfer. 

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The Telegraph goes even further, and says a deal is imminent, with Newcastle accepting they can't fight off the Spanish giants. Rafa Benítez has apparently known for weeks about Sissoko's intention to leave the club and all the Spanish coach can do now is get the best deal he can for the player. The player was generally considered to have had a poor season last year, but shone at the Euro Championships for France. 

35 milion for Sissoko

A good deal for Newcastle would be to get 35 millions for the 26 year old midfielder. And they might well get close to that figure, with Real Madrid likely to be bidding against Juventus, Borussia Dortmund and Everton for the player's services. 

Verratti is another option for Real Madrid

The other player Real Madrid are looking keenly at is Marco Verratti. Zidane likes the player, but PSG have never shown any signs they want to sell the player. Furthermore the French club are starting a new period under Emery and getting rid of one of their bigger names doesn't appear to be an option. 

Although Real Madrid already have a decent squad and some would argue they don't really need to bring in any more players, the club appear unwilling to let a transfer window pass without having new faces to reveal to their fans. Furthermore, the club are facing a transfer ban that is likely to cover the two periods in 2017 (winter then summer) meaning there is pressure to do deals. Yet the club are still to make a signing this season, and president Florentino Pérez has admitted to Zidane they are making slow progress in the market.