How Barcelona found £105million fee for Juventus ace Paul Pogba too hot to handle
Nou Camp director admits: 'Once the figures reached a certain point we were no longer interested - it's hard to keep up'
BARCELONA were priced out of making a bid for Paul Pogba, according to director Ariedo Braida.
He says the Spanish giants were scared off by the £105million price tag Manchester United are hoping to pay Juventus for their former midfielder.
Pogba, who spent three years with United between 2009 and 2012, is closing in on a return to Old Trafford with Serie A champions Juve lapping up the prospect of collecting that mouth-watering world record fee.
Real Madrid have also been linked with the French midfielder.
Braida admits Barca were keen on bringing Pogba to the Nou Camp, he stressed that the club could not justify spending that type of money.
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He said: "Clearly when you talk about figures that go over €100million, you need to reflect on them.
"It all comes down to the TV rights that brought in a lot of money and completely changed the logic of the transfer market.
"Clearly all players are overrated to some degree or another at this stage.
"We know Pogba. He is a player who proved to be very strong and, for a while, Barcelona were interested. But clearly the dynamics changed and once the figures reached a certain point we were no longer interested.
"It's hard to keep up at some stage, because you don't only have to consider the price of the transfer fee, but also the player's salary. Over the course of five years, that can amount to tens of millions."