Barcelona have confirmed their interest in signing Paul Pogba, despite the fact that are currently under a transfer ban.

Pogba, 21, is arguably the most sought-after player in world football this summer, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea among the sides credited with an interest in him.

Barcelona, who celebrated their fifth Champions League triumph in beating Pogba's Juventus on 6 June, are hopeful of luring the France international to the Nou Camp, despite being banned from registering new players until 2016 after breaking rules regarding the transfer of U18 footballers.

Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu told Telefoot: "It is true that Pogba is a leading target of ours and obviously we are interested, but I can't say any more. We are forbidden to recruit players until January, so I can't talk about it."

While Juventus remain adamant the ex-Manchester United midfielder will remain at the club, Pogba's agent Mino Raiola hinted the player may have already played his last game for La Vecchia Signora.

Raiola has also previously suggested a fee in excess of £85m (€115.9m) may be needed to prise his client from the Serie A champions.

Meanwhile, Barcelona's transfer ban has not discouraged them from doing business ahead of next year's January transfer window, when they can once register new players.

The club have signed Aleix Vidal from Sevilla for a reported fee of £16m, with stories suggesting the player will join the club immediately despite not being able to play until January.

They have also held talks with Borussia Dortmund's Ilkay Gundogan, but reports suggest they have ended their interest in signing the Germany international, making Manchester United favourites to sign the midfielder.

However, if their transfer activity continues to be blocked until January 2016, then their proposed alternative is to sign a deal worth €70m that leaves Pogba in Turin for one more season.

That would also allow the Bianconeri to make a genuine stab at Champions League glory and help the 21-year-old’s maturation process.

Juventus, though, are looking for a fee closer to the €100m mark.

Sport also claim that the only main rivals to Barcelona for Pogba are Chelsea.

Bartomeu told Telefoot: "It is true that Pogba is a leading target of ours and obviously we are interested, but I can't say anything more. We are forbidden to recruit players until January, so I can't talk about it."

Pogba was on the losing side in Saturday night's Champions League final as Barcelona triumphed 3-1 over Juve in Berlin.

But in light of reports claiming that could well have been his last game for the Bianconeri, Juve CEO Giuseppe Marotta insisted he would remain at the club.

"Juventus wants to win the Champions League next season and Pogba is an important player. He will be here next season for sure, 100 per cent.

Pogba, meanwhile, offered little response to the rumours in the aftermath of the game, adding: "I don't even think about anything else while I'm at Juve. It's nice to be asked but I'm not going to stop working for my club."