Manchester United have stepped up their pursuit of former player Paul Pogba, offering a British transfer record fee of £60m to Juventus. This is according to the Sun newspaper at least, with the tabloid claiming United’s new manager Jose Mourinho has sanctioned the bid in the hope fellow suitors Barcelona may be caught cold so early in the transfer window.
The Spanish champions are also known admirers of the French international midfielder who left Old Trafford under something of a cloud in 2012, having become frustrated with a lack of first-team opportunities. It remains to be seen whether Italian champions Juventus hold out for a rival bid from Barcelona or another interested party, but should they accept United’s advances, then the Premier League club’s position will be in a position of real strength.
Having won four successive Serie A titles with 23-year-old Pogba in their ranks, the general consensus is that Juventus are reticent, yet realistic, about their man seeking a fresh challenge this summer.
Although he may have felt unloved under Sir Alex Ferguson in his brief stay at Old Trafford as a teenager, rumours suggest the midfield maestro is not hung up about past indiscretions, especially with a new era launching at Old Trafford under Mourinho.
Manchester United supporters will desperately be hoping bygones are just that, as the youngster who forced his way out of the club four years ago has gone on to become a midfield maestro.
Pogba is set for an instrumental role at his home Euros with France, where Les Bleus are contenders to lift the trophy.