Paul Pogba to Manchester United: Jose Mourinho 'approves' £60m offer for Juventus midfielder
Pogba left United in 2012 but Mourinho has identified him as his key transfer target
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Your support makes all the difference.Manchester United have made their move in the hope of luring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford after offering Juventus £60m for the talented midfielder in what would be a new club record transfer, according to reports.
Pogba is reported to have been “informally” put up for sale by Juventus, with the Italian champions looking to cash-in on the France international to reinforce their squad elsewhere. With Pogba wanted by a number of clubs across Europe, Juventus are in no rush to see Pogba leave the club, though it was claimed earlier this week that United were aware the Italian side were looking to sell him if the right offer was made.
Pogba arrived at Juventus in 2012 from United after a public falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Premier League side have remained interested in their former academy product, who made just three appearances in the top flight before heading to Italy on a free transfer.
After identifying Pogba as a key transfer target to reinforce his United squad, Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with giving the green light for the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to pursue Pogba.
According to The Sun, that decision has been made and United have launched a £60m bid to try and sign the 23-year-old, though Juventus are expected to try and negotiate any deal for a much higher transfer fee given Pogba’s current reputation as one of the most talented midfielders in world football.
It’s claimed that United will offer up £48m as an initial fee, with an additional £12m available in performance-based bonuses which would take the deal just beyond the £59.7m mark that stands as the club’s current record move for Angel Di Maria two years ago.
Pogba has gone on to win four consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus since arriving at the club in 2012, along with two Coppa Italia successes and a Champions League final appearance in 2014/15, but his future is continually thrown into question given his talent attracts the attention of the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and United.
Pogba is currently contracted to the Serie A champions until 2019 having signed a long-term deal in 2014, and while Raiola has admitted this season that Pogba is open to extending his contract with the club, his current salary of £70,000-a-week could see him move on unless he sees a significant improvement on the deal.
He has also been heavily linked with Barcelona, but their current financial situation means that one of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez or Neymar would need to be sold in order to fund the move for Pogba which is could cost in excess of £70m.
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