Manchester United on verge of completing Pogba reunion
Real Madrid have pulled the plug in their race to sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, leaving Manchester United free to make a world record £105 million move for the France international.
Speculation about the 23-year-old’s future has hotted up in recent weeks, with both Real Madrid and Manchester United battling it out for the midfielder’s signature. However, Los Blancos have conceded defeat in the chase for Pogba.
Jose Mourinho has been given the full support of his Manchester United colleagues, to pursue a deal for the Frenchman and make him the most expensive player in the world, in hope of landing the Premier League title next campaign.
Real have been unable to compete financially for the player, who is set to cost €123 million (£105 million), after the Red Devils were prepared to up their bid in order to fend off the La Liga outfit.
Los Blancos president Florentino Perez conceded that after taking into consideration add-ons, player and club-related bonuses and agent fees – understood to earn Pogba’s agent, Mino Raiola, around £25.5 million – that the club could no longer pursue their long-term target.
In July 2014, United signed a deal with Adidas, for the German brand to manufacture their kits on a ten-year contract for £750 million, which has given them a massive financial boost, despite failing to obtain Champions League football and competing for league titles in the last few seasons.
Pogba is set to earn £250,000-a-week at Old Trafford, on a five-year deal, after Mourinho outlined the France international as his primary target, when plans were confirmed for the Portuguese boss to take over at Manchester United this summer.
But while United have seemingly won the race for Pogba, Real will now pursue the €50 million (£42 million) signing of Valencia’s Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes, who will come up against Pogba in Sunday’s European Championship final.
Pogba left United on a free transfer in 2012, after failing to secure himself regular game time under United legend Sir Alex Ferguson, but despite his departure now proving to be costly, upon his return, the Red Devils are confident the young Frenchman can make a big difference in their push for glory in the Premier League.
The Juventus midfielder netted eight league goals last season for Juventus, while topping the assist charts with 12 and helping Juve to comfortably secure the Serie A title.
