Paul Pogba continues to be heavily linked with a move to Manchester United.
Earlier this week, The Guardian reported that Pogba would re-join the Premier League club, if Real Madrid fail to match United’s offer to Juventus – believed to be in the region of €120m.
While on Friday, French newspaper L’Equipe reported that the 23-year-old midfielder has told his friends and family that he expects to join United following Euro 2016.
Guillem Balague has backed-up those reports, and went one step further.
The Spanish football journalist has claimed that Madrid, who are believed to be Pogba’s preferred destination, have “abandoned” their pursuit after being priced out of the player by United.
“Real Madrid have basically said ‘no way we’re going to pay that,’ and they’ve abandoned the auction,” Balague told BBC Radio 5 Live on Friday evening.
“So I think he’s Manchester United bound. Did he want to go to Old Trafford and play in the Europa League? I don’t know. I don’t think so.”
BBC Sport reported on Saturday morning that the deal to take Pogba back to Old Trafford is not “imminent,” and United have not yet started negotiations with Juventus.
However, Mino Raiola, Pogba’s agent, has just brokered deals to bring Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan to United. It’d be a surprise if the topic of Pogba’s return to Old Trafford didn’t come up during the negotiations.
The French midfielder spent three years at United, making just seven appearances before leaving for Juventus on a free transfer in 2012. If he does return, it looks set to be for a world record fee.
