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Paul Pogba to Manchester United: Jose Mourinho 'approves' £60m offer for Juventus midfielder

Pogba left United in 2012 but Mourinho has identified him as his key transfer target

Jack de Menezes

Friday 03 June 2016 08:26 BST

Paul Pogba is a transfer target for Manchester United (Getty)

Manchester United have made their move in the hope of luring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford after offering Juventus £60m for the talented midfielder in what would be a new club record transfer, according to reports.

Pogba is reported to have been “informally” put up for sale by Juventus, with the Italian champions looking to cash-in on the France international to reinforce their squad elsewhere. With Pogba wanted by a number of clubs across Europe, Juventus are in no rush to see Pogba leave the club, though it was claimed earlier this week that United were aware the Italian side were looking to sell him if the right offer was made.

Pogba arrived at Juventus in 2012 from United after a public falling out with Sir Alex Ferguson, but the Premier League side have remained interested in their former academy product, who made just three appearances in the top flight before heading to Italy on a free transfer.

After identifying Pogba as a key transfer target to reinforce his United squad, Jose Mourinho has been heavily linked with giving the green light for the club’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to pursue Pogba.

According to The Sun, that decision has been made and United have launched a £60m bid to try and sign the 23-year-old, though Juventus are expected to try and negotiate any deal for a much higher transfer fee given Pogba’s current reputation as one of the most talented midfielders in world football.

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

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1/11Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

John Stones

Mourinho's admiration for the Everton defender is well known with the Portuguese coach understood to have been behind Chelsea's bids for the England international last summer. Everton refused to relent back then but an offer of even more money from Manchester United might be too tempting to turn down.

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Cesc Fabregas

Fabregas was understood to be on Manchester United's radar when he left Barcelona for Chelsea and the Spain international is of the quality that would improve United's current squad. Despite the reports that the former Arsenal player was among those who forced Mourinho out at Stamford Bridge, he was one of the few to speak publicly in glowing terms of Mourinho. "Thank you for all you have done for me," he wrote on Twitter. "I owe you a lot and we will all miss you. Good luck in the future."

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Gareth Bale

Manchester United hold a long-term interest in Bale and Mourinho's arrival will only strengthen their determination to sign the Wales international. It's been suggested that the Real Madrid forward has been put off moving to Old Trafford due to the uncertainty surrounding the club, but the appointment of Mourinho would go a long way to dispelling fears that Manchester United are a club in flux.

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Alvaro Morata

Alvaro Morata has caught the eye of Arsenal, Chelsea and United, but the appointment of Mourinho as manager could give the Manchester club the advantage. Any move for Morata is likely to involve Real Madrid, and Mourinho's good relationship with his former club would help smooth over negotiations.

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Raphael Varane

Manchester United spent much of last summer pursuing Sergio Ramos, but a repeat attempt to sign the Real Madrid centre-back appears highly unlikely if Mourinho takes charge due to their tempestuous relationship during their shared time at the Bernabeu. A move for Ramos' fellow centre-back Varane does seem plausible though, with Mourinho signing the defender from Lens and giving him his opportunity at Real Madrid.

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Paul Pogba

Who doesn't want Paul Pogba? Despite claims the midfielder will move to Barcelona in the summer, nothing has been confirmed and while that remains the case the France international will continue to be linked with big-money moves elsewhere, including a return to Manchester United. Chelsea reportedly made a huge bid for the 22-year-old last summer, confirming that Mourinho is a fan.

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Andre Gomes

The Valencia midfielder emerged on United's radar before Mourinho was linked with the club, but he appears to be a fan of the 22-year-old. One problem will be Valencia's valuation, which currently sits in excess of £40m.

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Luka Modric

Mourinho revealed that he tried to sign Modric for Chelsea in 2014, confirming that a reunion with the player he worked with at Real Madrid appeals. It was Mourinho who signed the Croatian from Tottenham in 2012 and with the 30-year-old still operating at the top level on a consistent basis, he would certainly have something to offer Manchester United.

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Joao Mario

Joao Mario is wanted by Mourinho after the Sporting Lisbon midfielder impressed his compatriot. Valued at around £27m, the 23-year-old would be an expensive acquisition for United, but he could follow in the footsteps of Cristiano Ronaldo in heading to Old Trafford from the Portuguese club.

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Ezequiel Garay

Garay worked under Mourinho at Real Madrid, but while he is being linked with a move to United, it's uncertain if he would be considered a first-team starter. Garay was sold by Mourinho to Benfica in 2011, having failed to impress the Portuguese, and he could be brought in to try and add the defensive depth that United are clearly lacking.

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Who might Mourinho try to sign at Man Utd?

Mauro Icardi

The Inter Milan captain has reiterated his commitment to the Italian side, but offers are still expected to be made for the 23-year-old with both United and Arsenal linked with the striker as well as Chelsea.

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It’s claimed that United will offer up £48m as an initial fee, with an additional £12m available in performance-based bonuses which would take the deal just beyond the £59.7m mark that stands as the club’s current record move for Angel Di Maria two years ago.

Pogba has gone on to win four consecutive Serie A titles with Juventus since arriving at the club in 2012, along with two Coppa Italia successes and a Champions League final appearance in 2014/15, but his future is continually thrown into question given his talent attracts the attention of the likes of Real Madrid, Barcelona and United.

Pogba is currently contracted to the Serie A champions until 2019 having signed a long-term deal in 2014, and while Raiola has admitted this season that Pogba is open to extending his contract with the club, his current salary of £70,000-a-week could see him move on unless he sees a significant improvement on the deal.

Mourinho tells Man Utd fans to forget the last 3 years

He has also been heavily linked with Barcelona, but their current financial situation means that one of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez or Neymar would need to be sold in order to fund the move for Pogba which is could cost in excess of £70m.

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