Despite signing a contract extension with Juventus, midfielder Paul Pogba is still being heavily linked with a move away from the Italian champions. The France international extended his agreement at the Turin club in October in a deal which ties him to the Serie A side until June 2019.

The player’s agent, Mino Raiola, would later disappoint Juventus supporters when the he told the Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport that Pogba would likely leave the reigning champions of Italy “this year or the next”.

“His contract renewal was an easy decision,” Raiola said in January. “Not signing a new deal would have created a problem for Juventus and a weakness for Paul.”

“I want the club that buys him to believe in him and be willing to pay for him. If Paul leaves Juventus, it is for the absolute top. If it does not happen this year, it will be next year.”

Fast forward to today and Raiola has shed new light on his client’s previous transfer negotiations.

During an interview with the Spanish publication Marca, the agent revealed that Real Madrid refused to sign Pogba on two separate occasions – the most recent being last season.

The France international is currently valued at around £75 million. But Raiola has confirmed that Real Madrid turned down an opportunity to sign the talented 21-year-old midfielder for £22 million just last season.

“Back when they had their chance, they really didn’t know who Pogba was,” Raiola told Marca. “Other clubs did.”

“Real didn’t want to pay £7.5 million for him, and just a year ago refused to pay £22 million for him.”

“We spoke in Qatar. ‘Why pay £22 million if soon he can come for free?’ they asked.”

“He ended up renewing his contract. If they want Pogba, they can call me. I’m not going to call anyone there.”

“He’s worth more than £75 million, but the price will be set by the club that buys him. I’m in contact with all of them, except Real Madrid. My name is not Jorge Mendes, who manages Real Madrid far too well.”

“For me, he is the flagship of a new generation, the star, the leader. Today, there is nobody like Pogba.”

“Including Barcelona, there are only seven clubs that can afford him.”

Raiola also confirmed that Zlatan Ibrahimovic wanted to join Jose Mourinho at Real Madrid when he left Barcelona in 2010. But the Catalan club elected to send the Swedish goal scorer on loan to AC Milan.

Had Ibrahimovic gone to Madrid, Raiola feels it would have been the “perfect revenge against Guardiola”.

Programming note: Elche vs. Real Madrid will be shown LIVE on Sunday starting at 2:55pm EST on beINSPORTS and DishWorld.