Paul Pogba: Manchester United in 'negotiations' with Juventus, Massimiliano Allegri confirms

The midfielder is United's primary summer transfer target

Pogba joined Juventus on a free transfer from United in 2012 (Getty)

Massimiliano Allegri, the Juventus manager, has confirmed that the Serie A club are in talks with Manchester United over the transfer of Paul Pogba.

The 48-year-old coach is currently with Juventus on a pre-season tour in Australia and was speaking ahead of his side’s International Champions Cup friendly against Melbourne Victory on Saturday.

“Pogba is a Juventus player at the moment but we don't know what is going to happen. The club are looking after negotiations,” he said.

Despite United’s interest in Pogba being well-established, Allegri’s revelation is the strongest official suggestion yet that negotiations have taken place between the two clubs.

Jose Mourinho, the United manager, confirmed on Friday that he was looking to make one further ‘fundamental’ signing, following the arrivals of Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

“I said in the first press conference at Old Trafford that our market has a fundamental part, and that part is four players – one central defender, one midfielder, one striker and one creative player,” Mourinho said after the 4-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund in Shanghai on Friday.

“When we finish that fundamental market we are balanced,” he added.

It is believed that Juventus will demand a world record transfer fee for Pogba, who joined the club on a free transfer from United in 2012.

Despite impressing in the club's youth set-up and winning the 2011 FA Youth Cup, Pogba only made seven senior appearances.

Sir Alex Ferguson, then-United manager, would later describe his relationship with the midfielder’s agent, Mino Raiola, as “like oil and water."