PAY UP FOR POG
Juve snub Jose £85m opener
MANCHESTER United fired the opening shot in what could be football’s biggest transfer by bidding £85m for Paul Pogba last night.
United have been tracking the France and Juventus midfielder for several months and are prepared to break the bank to get him.
But Italian champions Juve are expected to reject the first bid even though United executive vicechairman Ed Woodward has agreed personal terms with Pogba.
The 23-year-old has been offered a long-term deal at Old Trafford worth £280,000 a week.
United officials are expected to meet Juve directors and Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola this week in a bid to thrash out a deal.
But Juve will demand up to £100m for their prize asset.
They would also like confirmation from the player that he plans to quit before considering his sale. Pogba is on holiday after reaching the final of Euro 2016 with France, and is not due back in Turin until August 6.
United boss Jose Mourinho has told Woodward to do everything in his power to bring Pogba back to Old Trafford.
Woodward has already dealt with Raiola over the recent signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan and is confident of landing Pogba (right) too.
Pogba left United in 2012 on a free transfer when then-boss Sir Alex Ferguson refused to meet his wage demands.
It turned out to be a catastrophic mistake with Pogba going on to become one of the
world’s best midfielders who will now command wages that are 15 times more than what he earned at Old Trafford previously.
Meanwhile, China football fans have been left distraught after it emerged Ibrahimovic will take no part in United’s two-game tour of the country.
United have touched down in the Far East to start preparations for friendlies against Borussia Dortmund and neighbours Manchester City.
Local fans had been desperate to see Ibrahimovic in action, but the Swedish superstar has been given an extended break following Euro 2016 and is still on holiday in California.
United’s sponsors and growing commercial department will also be frustrated that the club’s new marquee signing and most marketable player is missing.
The first sighting of him playing in a United shirt could now be in his homeland, when Mourinho’s men face Galatasaray in Gothenburg on July 30.
Other United stars missing the trip include Anthony Martial, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Marouane Fellaini.