'Disappointed': Manager slates 'young Pogba' desire to leave amid Arsenal links

Arsenal have reportedly been in talks over Barcelona prodigy Ilaix Moriba.

According to 90Min, the Gunners are one of multiple Premier League clubs who’ve spoken to the 18-year-old’s representatives.

As well as Arsenal, both Manchester clubs, both Merseyside clubs and Spurs are reportedly eyeing Moriba.

And the Gunners would certainly benefit from having a player in their ranks who’s like a “young Pogba”.

Moriba, who joined La Masia in 2010, has burst onto the scene at Camp Nou this year.

Ronald Koeman handed the midfielder his first-team debut in January’s Copa del Rey win over Cornella.

Moriba has clocked up 18 senior appearances for his club, including 14 in La Liga.

However, he is out of contract next summer and is yet to reach a new deal at the club.

“The player and his camp think differently”

According to Eurosport, Moriba’s representatives have been in discussions with Barca over a contract extension for a number of weeks.

However, the teenager’s wage demands have prevented any agreement from being reached, added the report.

And Koeman has criticised the “horrible” stand-off between the club and the player’s camp.

“Ilaix’s situation is horrible,” Eurosport quotes Koeman as saying.

“My advice is that money cannot be the most important thing for an 18-year-old. It’s about playing games.

“But the player and his camp think differently. I am disappointed.”

Catalan outlet ARA Esports claim Moriba is valued at around £12.8million.

Denis Silva Puig, Moriba’s former coach, compared the player to Paul Pogba due to the similarities in playing style.

“He’s physically very strong, but he’s also a very intelligent player,” the Liverpool Echo quotes him as saying. “Most people don’t appreciate this.

“Here he’s called the ‘Pogba of Barca’ because he’s like a young Pogba, but also he is very, very intelligent, and that is his big potential.

“He is a top player, no doubt.”