Arsenal transfer news: Gunners ready to rival Manchester City to land Paul Pogba in £40m January deal - reports

Pogba left Manchester United in 2012 but had been constantly linked with a return to the Premier League

Paul Pogba is a reported transfer target for Arsenal (Getty Images)

Arsenal could rival Manchester City in the race to sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba after reports emerged that suggested the Gunners are ready to offer £40m in a bid to land one of the most highly-rated players in the world.

Pogba left Manchester United in 2012 after becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of playing time that Sir Alex Ferguson afforded him at Old Trafford, and moved to Italy to join Juventus on a free transfer.

Despite impressing during his time in Italy as well as winning back-to-back Serie A titles, Pogba has been continuously linked with a move away from Juventus with the likes of City and Paris Saint-Germain rumoured to be interest in his services.

Even United have been vocal in their interest in bringing him back to the club after identifying the 21-year-old as the one who got away, but Pogba has spoken of his reluctance to return to the Red Devils following his messy departure.

The effectively eliminates one of Arsenal’s biggest rivals in attempting to sign Pogba, and the Daily Express reports that the Gunners would be willing to meet Juventus’ £40m valuation if they receive the impression that the club are willing to negotiate a transfer.

Paul Pogba in action for Juventus (Getty Images)

Arsene Wenger was in the hunt to sign Pogba when he became a free agent two years’ ago, but missed out after Juventus were able to lure him to the club.