Real Madrid pause Paul Pogba and Lautaro Martinez transfer plans amid financial uncertainty

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Real Madrid have put their summer transfer plans on ice due to the financial uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, say reports.

Paul Pogba

Spanish football has been suspended indefinitely while the country wrestles with the second-worst outbreak in Europe, behind Italy.

And ESPN sources have said that any moves to strengthen the Real squad have been paused until the club has a clearer idea of the road ahead.

As it stands, it is unknown if or when the 2019/20 season will be completed, or how big an impact the suspension of football could have on the club’s income.

The La Liga giants thought the 27-year-old was too expensive then, and the outlet believes that they have maintained that position, with United likely to demand more than €100 million for the midfielder.

Martinez is understood to be the club’s first choice to come in and challenge Karim Benzema for a starting spot up front, and the Inter striker will have a €111m release clause come July.

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Alasdair Mackenzie

Alasdair Mackenzie is a freelance journalist based in Rome, and a FourFourTwo contributor since 2015. When not pulling on the FFT shirt, he can be found at Reuters, The Times and the i. An Italophile since growing up on a diet of Football Italia on Channel 4, he now counts himself among thousands of fans sharing a passion for Ross County and Lazio.