Director of international football at Barcelona, Ariedo Braida, has explained why the Spanish side withdrew from the Paul Pogba race.

Barca were among a host of top sides keen on signing the exciting midfielder before he eventually opted to return to former club Manchester United in a world-record £89-million deal.

Pogba has been an instrumental player for Juventus in recent seasons having joined the side on a free following his failure to agree a contract with the Red Devils back in 2012.

‘Barcelona pulled out of the race to sign Pogba for economic reasons,’ Braida told La Gazzetta dello Sport. ‘

‘There is no discussion about his qualities and I think he will assert himself at Manchester United, but there will be criticism each time he is not at his best,’ the director explained.

Braida was adamant it would be impossible for Pogba to live up to expectations after such an expensive move.

‘Some figures are upsetting. No one is worth that kind of money. When you get to a certain level, we are getting too detached from normal life. We are talking about an operation of €150-million if we include wages.

‘You never know how a player will react to being overpriced like that. Maybe it will not even influence him, but the pressure must be enormous.’

Pogba made 41 appearances for Juventus last term, scoring nine times and assisting a further 12.