Written by Nick Wright at SkySports.com
Manchester United are chasing a world-record deal for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, but what kind of impact could he have at Old Trafford? And how would he fit into Jose Mourinho’s side?
The start of the Premier League season is still weeks away but Manchester United aren’t wasting any time in the transfer market. Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan have already signed up for Jose Mourinho’s Old Trafford revolution, and the likelihood is growing that Paul Pogba will be next.
Juventus are holding out for a record-breaking fee in the region of £100m, but it seems unlikely to be a stumbling block. Mourinho made it clear he wanted his fourth signing in place as soon as possible in his opening press conference, and Sky in Italy say United have already agreed personal terms with Pogba as they aim to conclude their negotiations with Juventus.
Pogba, of course, has unfinished business in the Premier League. The Frenchman left Old Trafford under a cloud in 2012 having grown frustrated at a lack of playing opportunities under Sir Alex Ferguson, and United watched ruefully as he blossomed from rough diamond to global superstar at Juventus.
A player they lost on a free transfer now looks set to return at a staggering cost, but United have good reason to believe the expenditure would be worth it. Pogba has improved from season to season at Juventus, winning four consecutive Serie A titles and amassing over 200 appearances for a club and country who have afforded him chances he couldn’t have imagined as a disillusioned teenager at Carrington.
And while Pogba’s most recent campaign ended with a muted display in the Euro 2016 final, it was certainly his best yet. A career high of eight league goals and 12 assists helped Juventus clinch the Scudetto by a nine-point margin, and there was a Coppa Italia triumph to atone for the disappointment of an early Champions League elimination by Bayern Munich.
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