REAL MADRID will reportedly offer Manchester United Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez in exchange for Paul Pogba.
The La Liga giants are long-term admirers of the French midfielder and are desperate to land him next year.
And according to Spanish outlet Eldesmarque, they reckon using Bale and Rodriguez as bartering tools could help seal a swap deal.
Although Manchester United want 150million for Pogba and are unlikely to think Bale and Rodriguez match that valuation together.
Both players are thought to be surplus to requirements in Madrid and the club are keen to let them leave.
Bale, 30, was linked with a move away in the summer but it failed to materialise, largely due to his huge wages.
He has only featured in ten matches for Los Blancos this season and completed the full 90 minutes three times as he struggles with yet more muscular problems.
Meanwhile, James, 28, played a bit-part role in the early stages of the season but is currently out with a knee injury.
Coach Zinedine Zidane has been using Brazilian teenagers Rodrygo Goes and Vinicius Junior on the wings with the pair set to play a major part for the club over the coming years.
ZIDANE’S MAN
It is no secret that the manager is a big fan of his compatriot Pogba, who was instrumental as France won the World Cup last year, and is determined to bring him in to the Bernabeu.
However, he has not played for Manchester United since September 30 due to a persistent ankle injury – but he could make a return to action before the New Year.
Again, there were rumours of a potential deal being done in the summer but Pogba stayed put at Old Trafford.
That was largely because Real Madrid spent almost 300million on the likes of Eden Hazard, Ferland Mendy, Eder Militao, Luka Jovic and Rodrygo.
And the huge net spend means Real must reportedly make up 84m in January to comply with Uefa’s Financial Fair Play regulations.
So the likelihood is Florentino Perez will sell some big names in order to bring in the cash.
Bale and Rodriguez could have been ideal candidates but a swap deal with Pogba would mean Real still need to raise the 84m elsewhere.
Selling Isco is one possibility – as 27, the playmaker’s value would surely be close to that figure and is another player struggling for game time under Zidane.
