Jose Mourinho has steered Manchester United into the lead for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba after Real Madrid paused in their chase for the France international.
The 23-year-old midfielder has been on the radar of top clubs over the last few seasons, but Real Madrid have made a serious play this summer to secure his signature.
The Spanish giants met the player’s agent Mino Raiola recently, and held talks over a proposed deal for Pogba, but the figures mentioned for the transfer have forced the club to pause their pursuit.
Real Madrid are unwilling to spend the €120m that Juventus are demanding for the midfielder, and Pogba’s €12m per season net wage demand is also not palatable for Los Blancos as it could make him one of the top earners ahead of Gareth Bale and Sergio Ramos, which could affect the dressing room harmony.
Mourinho has sensed an opportunity in the transfer market and according to Spanish daily AS, the Portuguese has steered Manchester United ahead of the chasing pack for Pogba.
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He has given his approval to Manchester United’s chase for the midfielder, and the club are claimed to be ready to meet Juventus’ financial demands for the player this summer.
Manchester United have already signed defender Eric Bailly from Villarreal this summer, and are in talks to snap up Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.
However, Mourinho is said to be looking for a statement signing, and believes a player of Pogba’s talent will add instant quality to his midfield for next season.
