Manchester United transfer news and rumours: Shirt numbers delayed due to Paul Pogba chase, United eye Fabinho

The biggest transfer stories to emerge from Old Trafford on Tuesday 19 July

Pogba tops United's list of remaining targets (Getty)

Manchester United have delayed announcing their squad numbers for the upcoming season as they wait to hear if their pursuit of Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba will come to fruition.

The Frenchman has been relentlessly linked with a world-record £100m return to Old Trafford after leaving the 20-time champions of England in 2012. Pogba is in line to earn over £200,000-a-week if he decides to join Jose Mourinho’s revolution.

The Sun report that United refuse to be forced into a situation where they may have to refund fans if their squad numbers change in the summer, meaning United supporters will have to wait a while longer.

United are interested in signing Andre Gomes, the Portuguese midfielder, from Valencia but face stern competition from Real Madrid as president Florentino Perez opens up his contacts book yet again.

Reports in Spanish newspaper Mundo Deportivo suggest Mourinho is close to admitting defeat in his pursuit of the 22-year-old but is monitoring the situation in case there are any developments.

Barcelona, too, are said to be interested but Perez’s contacts at Valencia and indeed in the Gomes camp mean it is highly likely he will soon join the 11-time European champions in the coming weeks.

Meanwhile, United have reportedly asked to be kept in the loop over Monaco defender Fabinho with a £25m offer expected in the near future.

The 22-year-old has been on United’s radar for some time but neither former manager Louis van Gaal nor Ed Woodward, the executive vice-chairman, were able to get a deal over the line.

The Daily Mail suggest both Napoli and rivals Manchester City are keeping tabs on the situation but United remain in pole position should the French outfit elect to sell.

The Brazilian-born defender is yet to discuss the situation with Monaco chiefs but is expected to remain on the fence for the time being.