Barcelona are planning a big-name signing this summer, according to Diario Sport journalist Toni Juanmarti.

New sporting director Eric Abidal is spearheading a “great operation”, Juanmarti said, with the midfield reportedly being identified as an area that needs to be addressed.

Juanmarti added that Paulinho’s departure leaves an opening in the position, and Barcelona are aware that Real Madrid are likely to strengthen their squad, so the Catalan club will want to respond.

No names have been leaked, but it is thought that Paul Pogba is the likely target.

Back in 2015, it was claimed that Abidal would be able to get his fellow Frenchman to come to the Camp Nou if he were installed as sporting director, which would have happened then had Joan Laporta won the club’s presidential election that summer.

Ultimately, Josep Maria Bartomeu won the election, so the transfer never came to pass and Pogba eventually re-joined Manchester United in 2016.

However, the Frenchman has endured a difficult two seasons with the Premier League club, and, fresh off spearheading France’s World Cup triumph, there are rumours that he might be tempted to move away from England.

Now, Barcelona are hoping that Abidal, finally installed as sporting director this summer, will be able to entice his compatriot to join him at the reigning La Liga champions.