Paul Pogba has begun negations with Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward about the possibility of a summer move back to Old Trafford, according to reports from Sky Sports.
Whilst Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for the French midfielder – with Spanish football pundit Guillem Balague and Pogba’s agent confirming the possibility of a move to the Bernabeu – it is understood that United lead the chase for the Juventus man, with a deal in excess of £100 million already being discussed.
The alleged move would smash the world transfer record set by Real Madrid back in 2013 when Los Blancos signed Tottenham and Wales Gareth Bale for an age £85.3 million.
New Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho has already added 3 new additions to his dressing room this summer: first signing Eric Bailly from Villarreal for £30 million; secondly Zlatan Ibrahimovic on a one year deal from PSG; and most recently Dortmund’s coveted attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
In his first press conference as United boss, the Portuguese manager alluded to the fact that his side needed 4 major signings this summer to make them ‘stable’ ahead of the new season, and it is now understood the fourth man is more than likely to be Pogba himself.
However, Mourinho will certainly want to be more than ‘stable’ ahead of next season, and has not discounted the possibility of more arrivals at Old Trafford before the season begins.
Our United fans at the Transfer Tavern have been discussing who could follow Pogba to United, what do you think?
Blaise Matuidi
Matuidi has been coy with regards to rumours linking him with a summer move to Manchester United amidst recent speculation over his PSG future.
Many believe Matuidi would be the back-up solution if United were unable to secure Pogba’s signature, but having seen the pair work so effectively for France at this summer’s Euros, it could be Pogba’s France counterpart follows him to Old Trafford this summer.
Hirving Lozano
Mexican side Pachuca have confirmed that talks are ongoing between themselves and United over a summer transfer for the Mexico international, who made 4 appearances at this years Copa America.
An exciting young winger who has scored 25 goals in 111 appearances for his current side, Lozano may be a late addition for United as a move is unlikely to go ahead before his appearance for Mexico at the Olympic Games.
Mauro Icardi
Mrs. Icardi may have landed herself in a spot of bother recently by all but confirming that her Argentinean hubby will leave Inter Milan this summer, speaking to calciomercato.com.
16-goal Icardi could serve as an excellent back-up option for Zlatan Ibrahimovic – as Mourinho lacks striking options besides Ibra and Marcus Rashford – and could be stole on a bargain with Inter allegedly keen to offload their club captain.
Tiemoue Bakayoko
Yet another midfielder linked with a move to United this summer, Bakayoyo has understood to have attracted attention from a host of Premier League clubs, having fallen out of favour at current club AS Monaco.
Tall, powerful and composed on the ball, the 21-year-old would almost certainly be back up for Pogba and/or Matuidi however would be a solid addition to United’s lacklustre midfield.
Nemanja Matic
Out of sorts at Chelsea, and quickly falling out of the fan’s good books and down the midfield pecking order at the Bridge; Matic has had a tough season.
Once heavily criticised by Mourinho whilst at Chelsea, the Serbian certainly has quality in abundance however, with his size and technical ability allowing him to comfortably control the midfield. Re-united with Jose? Maybe so.
