It has begun.
According to Sky Sports in the UK, Manchester United has begun talks with Juventus over a $130 million for Paul Pogba.
That’s right. If that transfer fee is for real then Pogba, 23, would become the most-expensive player in soccer history.
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It is believed United are offering Pogba over $380,000 per week and although Juventus want to keep hold of the French international it may be tough to stand in his way.
The rangy midfielder has excelled for Juve over the past four seasons, winning four-straight Serie A titles while also becoming an integral part of France’s team.
Pogba left Manchester United in 2012 after he failed to agree a new contract with the Red Devils and Juve ended up paying just $1 million in compensation for him. He was given his debut as an 18-year-old by Sir Alex Ferguson and although his talent was clear for all to see, he was allowed to slip through the net.
Real Madrid is also said to be monitoring Pogba’s situation and in the past Barcelona has also been linked with the two-way midfielder. Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, has already seen two of his clients, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrik Mkhitaryan, join Jose Mourinho at United this summer and the new manager admitted to the media on Tuesday that he is pushing hard to make his fourth signing soon.
Pogba could be the main, while Blaise Matuidi has also reportedly been in talks with United.
This summer at EURO 2016, Pogba has played his part for Didier Deschamps’ side who face Germany in the semifinal on Thursday.
However, Pogba was dropped after France’s opener but has now fought his way back into the starting lineup and has been asked to play in a deeper role by Deschamps where he’s been tracking back and doing his fare share of defending, even though we know his main talents lie in his exquisite range of passing and quality in the final third.
If France exits EURO 2016 at the semifinal stage, expect this situation to move rather quickly.
With Eric Bailly, Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan all on board, Mourinho is building a powerful new spine of his team at United. If he can somehow add Pogba then United become instant contenders for the Premier League title in 2016-17.