Manchester City transfer news: City determined to sign Paul Pogba and meet £71m British transfer record

Frenchman could move back to Manchester, but this time it will be for City

(GETTY IMAGES)

Manchester City refuse to give up on Juventus sensation Paul Pogba and are preparing a British-record £71m bid as Barcelona's offer fails, according to reports.

Treble winners Barcelona made a bid of £57m but the current uncertainty caused by the club's upcoming presidential election has not impressed the Italian champions, Pogba or his agent Mino Raiola.

According to the Daily Mirror, this paved the way for the Premier League runner-ups who are looking to seal the deal quickly so the French midfielder can join them on their two-week tour in Australia starting this week.

The Citizens also got good news from Fifa who lifted the Financial Fair Play (FFP) sanctions, Barca however tried to convince the 22-year-old to stay with Juve until their transfer ban has expired.

The France international's former club Manchester United will be getting £1.25m windfall from the transfer because, according to FIFA rules, he spent three years with the Red Devils when he was younger.

Meanwhile, rivals City will have to meet the player's £240,000-a-week wage demands, should he decide to return to England.

Barcelona's president Josep Maria Bartomeu, who is a favourite to be reelected in 12 days, tried to sign this transfer window's hottest commodity for next year with a £57m contract that was immediately refused.

His rival Joan Laporta described his fellow candidate's efforts as a 'failure' and 'ridiculous'.

Laporta also promised to bring Pogba to Catalonia but it has been suggested that manager Luis Enrique does not actually want him in his roster.