Transfer news and rumours: Manchester United close in on Paul Pogba; Alexandre Lacazette nears Arsenal switch

Today's biggest transfer news and rumours as Europe's biggest clubs do their business early

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Manchester United remain confident of persuading Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba to return to the club in a deal which could equate to a world-record transfer. The 23-year-old left Old Trafford in 2012 after Sir Alex Ferguson believed him to be too high maintenance.

Jose Mourinho, however, feels otherwise and has been impressed by his stellar form for both the Turin club and France.

According to The Guardian, United vice-chairman Ed Woodward has met with the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, in an attempt to get the deal over the line. Speaking at his first press conference as United manager, Mourinho said: “We made a nucleus of four priorities, four positions to give a certain balance to the squad, to give a certain push in terms of quality and the qualities I need and want. I am more a manager that likes specialists and not so much the multi-functional players.”

Alexandre Lacazette, the Lyon striker, has emerged as a target for Arsenal after the north London club reportedly signalled their intent to pay the French club’s £34.2m asking price. The 25-year-old has attracted interest from Stoke City and Newcastle United in the past while he has also rejected the chance to join West Ham United recently. The Daily Telegraph reports that Arsenal have been forced to act after seeing a number of strikers get snapped up already this summer.

Lacazette has previously indicted his wishes to leave the Ligue 1 outfit but Lyon have since qualified for the Champions League, making the prospect of remaining with his hometown club more attractive. Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, is desperate to strengthen his forward line after missing out on Jamie Vardy last month.

Arsenal continue to dominate the morning’s papers with the Evening Standard reporting that a bid for Alvaro Morata is just around the corner. The Spaniard returned to Real Madrid this summer, from Juventus, after the European champions utilised a £23m buy-back clause in his contract. Real president Florentino Perez has no intention of keeping Morata, however, and would be prepared to sell him on for profit.

Wenger is aware of interest from elsewhere, not least from Premier League rivals Chelsea, but is said to be prepared to part with the £57m it would take to secure the striker’s signature. Reports elsewhere have linked the Gunners with a move for Everton’s Romelu Lukaku but those are believed to be unfounded.

Blaise Matuidi, the Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, has reportedly been allowed to temporarily leave duty with France at Euro 2016 for talks with Manchester United. The 29-year-old has helped the Parisian giants lift four consecutive Ligue 1 titles since 2012, scoring 19 goals in 165 appearances, attracting interest from across the continent.

United manager Mourinho has made no secret of his desire to acquire a raft of new midfield talent this summer, leading ambitious pursuits of both Borussia Dortmund’s Mkhitaryan and Juventus star Pogba. But, according to the French wing of Goal, Les Blues manager Didier Deschamps has afforded Matuidi with a short window to undergo negotiations with the 20-time champions of England before their semi-final against Germany on Thursday.

Tottenham Hotspur are closing in on the signing of AZ Alkmaar striker Vincent Janssen after the Eredivisie top goal-scorer spurned a late hijack offer from Paris Saint-Germain. The 22-year-old has been isolated as a striker capable of putting pressure on leading scorer Harry Kane after hitting 27 goals in the Netherlands last season.

According to The Sun, Spurs could be forced to part with over £15m to land Janssen after an earlier offer in the region of £11m was rejected this summer. Manchester United and Everton have previously shown an interest in the Dutch star but their glare has been switched elsewhere in recent weeks. Heung Min-Son is set to miss the start of the season as he represents South Korea at the Olympics, meaning time is of the essence.