No United bid yet for £100m man
MANCHESTER UNITED’S attempts to sign Paul Pogba have barely begun.
Speculation linking Pogba with a world-record £100 million return to United has increased since new manager Jose Mourinho indicated the club were ready to focus on a fourth and final summer transfer target.
That has been widely assumed to mean France and Juventus midfielder Pogba, and reports claim United have reached agreement with the player’s agent over pay.
They go on to suggest this now puts United in a position to lodge a bid with Juve.
But, while it is understood United are interested in the 23-year-old, who left Old Trafford on a free transfer four years ago, the prospect of any deal is some way off.
It is not thought any discussions have taken place with Juventus – and the Italian club are reportedly reluctant to sell. He is contracted until 2019 and could be offered a new deal in Turin. Real Madrid have also been linked with the Frenchman.
United have signed three players since Mourinho was appointed in May – former Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Armenia playmaker Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Ivory Coast defender Eric Bailly.
Meanwhile, across Greater Manchester, Oldham have ended their search for a manager with the appointment of Steve Robinson.
The 41-year-old will leave his position as Motherwell assistant and Northern Ireland first-team coach to take over at Boundary Park.
Robinson said: “I really like what the owner said to me.
“He sold me his ideas and ambitions and I had demands of my own which I wanted to be met to give me the best opportunity to be successful. He has been really good with that and it’s an exciting time for the football club.
“It’s a club that has massive tradition. I want to get an identity back to the club and take the club forward.”