Transfers news and rumours: Manchester United begin Paul Pogba talks; Arsenal chase down Julian Draxler

Today's transfer news and rumours as Europe's biggest clubs do their business

Pogba celebrates France's semi-final victory against Germany (Getty)

The race for Paul Pogba’s signature is heating up. According to Sky, United chief executive Ed Woodward has begun negotiations in the last 48 hours that could see Pogba return to Old Trafford in a record transfer deal worth £100m.

And as revealed by the Independent on Thursday, Jose Mourinho wants the signing to be completed before Manchester United’s Community Shield match against Leicester City on August 7. According to the report, United are confident that a deal can be struck with the Italian champions for the player. With Barcelona are out of the running to sign the player and Madrid unprepared to offer more than £60m for the former Le Havre youngster, United believe they are in pole position to re-sign the Frenchman.

On top of this, reports suggest that the 23-year-old’s agent, Mino Raiola, will meet with the Serie A side after Euro 2016 to discuss the player’s switch to Manchester. Juventus are adamant that the Frenchman is not for sale, says the Guardian, and recently offered Pogba a new contract which would increase his wages from €5m to €7m-a-year. But after weeks of speculation linking Pogba with a move away from Juventus, it finally seems that all this hearsay might finally come to fruition.

As for Arsenal, the north London side are expected to a launch a £43m bid for Germany’s Julian Draxler. According to the Sun, the Gunners are keen to bolster their attacking options and Wenger has already offered a sum in excess of £40m for the 22-year-old. Arsenal targeted the German ace last summer but Wolfsburg swept in to sign the player on a five-year deal. Draxler scored ten goals last season and starred in Germany’s semi-final defeat to France yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp has taken a slightly different approach to the transfer window it seems and is reportedly on track to dump eight Liverpool players as part of a summer overhaul. The Mirror has suggested that the Reds boss could generate almost £100m in sales as he clears out all the surplus requirements at Anfield. Kolo Toure and Jose Enrique have already been released with others expected to follow suit soon. Christian Benteke has been linked with a move to Crystal Palace but it seems Anfield are holding out for the right offer.

Wales’ Euro 2016 hero Joe Allen is another Liverpool player who looks to be on his way out. Despite impressing for Wales in France, Klopp has yet to speak with Allen about his future at the club and at least six clubs are interested in signing the midfielder. Swansea, Sevilla and Southampton have all been linked with Allen – affectionately dubbed the ‘Welsh Pirlo’ by fans – but the player’s future continues to hang in the balance, writes the Telegraph.

Klopp has lined up some potential transfer targets though. According to German newspaper Bild, Jakub Blaszczykowski could be on his way to Anfield and is expected to hold talks with Dortmund over his future in Germany. Blaszczykowski played under Klopp for six years and although Dortmund will be keen to hold on to him, the Poland international may opt for a reunion with his former manager.

Lastly, the search for Roy Hodgson’s replacement rolls on and a new contender has thrown their hat into the ring. According to the Guardian, former Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini has expressed interest in taking on the England manager’s role. Mancini currently has one year left on his contract at Inter Milan and is reportedly keen to explore the possibility of returning to England.

Gary Lineker, Rio Ferdinand and Frank Lampard have all been asked for their views on the national side’s recent failings at major tournaments and are expected to be consulted in the coming weeks. Whether or not Mancini will earn their endorsement remains to be seen.

On that topic, another potential candidate has withdrawn their name from the running. The Daily Express has reported that former Tottenham and West Ham boss Harry Redknapp has been ruled out as a potential successor. Although the FA have spoken to the 69-year-old to gauge his opinion on the current state of English football, it seems that the Englishman won’t be considered as a permanent candidate for the position.