Man Utd transfer news: Schweinsteiger in Deadline Day stand-off

Man Utd transfer news: Gabriel Barbosa set to sign for £30m

16 August

Jose Mourinho is ready to "blow the opposition out of the water" and win the battle to sign Gabriel Barbosa, says The Sun.

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Described by the paper as a "wonderkid", the 19-year-old Brazilian had looked set to join Leicester, but that was before United set their sights on the Santos striker, who revels in the nickname Gabigol.

The Sun says the Old Trafford outfit are readying a £30m bid for Barbosa, who has "set the Rio Olympics alight". And once the flames have been doused the teenager sensation will sign terms with United ahead of interest from the Foxes as well as Inter Milan, Bayern Munich and Juventus.

It's believed a deal will be concluded shortly with Mourinho viewing Barbosa as "the perfect fit for his Reds revolution".

One player whowon't be heading to Old Trafford just yet is West Ham defender Reece Oxford. The Sun says that the young defender has been persuaded to stay with the Hammers, despite interest from United and Man City, and will be offered more regular game time this season.

Man Utd transfer news: Juventus Herrera raid, Jose wants Fonte

15 August

Having lost Paul Pogba to Manchester United, reports from Italy suggest that Juventus "have set their sights" on Red Devils midfielder Ander Herrera as his replacement. In reporting the news, the Daily Express adds that the Italian champions are also chasing Chelsea star Nemanja Matic.

At one stage Juve had ambitions of signing Cesc Fabregas but they've got the message that he won't be leaving the Bridge and consequently Herrera is the man they want, with an offer of £17m expected to be sent to Old Trafford this week.

Meanwhile the The Sun claims that Jose Mourino "is set to launch an £8m swoop" this week for Southampton captain Jose Fonte. The Special One inflicted some pain on the south coast on Sunday, as United opened their campaign with a 3-1 win over Bournemouth, and the Sun reckons that Mourinho will soon be making the Saints suffer by bringing the 32-year-old defender to Old Trafford.

Man Utd transfer news: Juan Mata and Daley Blind head for the exit

12 August

Earlier in the week he was linked with a move to Everton but Juan Mata, apparently unwanted at Old Trafford, could yet join Turkish outfit Fenerbahce.

So claims Talksport, which says that Fenerbahce "have not given up hope of signing" the Spanish midfielder despite his £20m price tag. The interest of the Toffees is still strong, adds the broadcaster, but it quotes Turkish newspaper Milliyet in reporting that Fenerbahce are "working out an approach for Mata as they bid to replace Nani in their attack".

Nani, another former United star, left Turkey to join Mata's old club Valencia this summer.

United's asking price isn't a deterrent apparently and an offer could be made "in the coming days" for the 28-year-old.

Elsewhere the Daily Telegraph reports that Daley Blind's days at United are numbered with Inter Milan "closing in" on the 26-year-old defender. Newly-appointed coach Frank de Boer is desperate to reinforce the squad he inherited from Roberto Mancini at the start of the week and the Telegraph, citing Milan-based Mediaset Premium, says the Dutchman is after Blind "with a £17 million bid thought to be on the cards".

Finally, the Daily Mail says that Southampton manager Claude Puel believes club captain Jose Fonte will not leave the Saints this summer. The Portugal defender, outstanding for his country in their European Championship triumph last month, has been linked with a move to Old Trafford but the Saints boss had this to say when asked if he feared Fonte was on his way out of St Mary's: "For the club and for Southampton, it's important for Jose to stay...I don't think there's a possibility for Jose to leave us."

Man Utd transfer news: Januzaj, Mata and Schweinsteiger face chop

10 August

With Paul Pogba finally on board, Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho will turn his attention to trimming his squad before the transfer window closes at the end of the month.

And it seems there could be plenty of players heading for the Old Trafford exit. First up are youngsters Paddy McNair and Donald Love who look set to move to Sunderland, after former United boss David Moyes made an £8m offer for the two defenders.

Both were handed debuts by Louis van Gaal, but Moyes was "aware of their presence in the youth team and hopes to persuade them to continue their development in the North East", reports the Daily Telegraph. "A joint fee of around £8m is thought to have been agreed with United and it is now up to the players to decide if they want to leave Old Trafford."

More significant exits are also on the cards, according to The Independent. It says that Mourinho has concluded his transfer business for the summer and has "attempted to reassure his fringe players that they will be given opportunities to impress once United begin their Capital One Cup and Europa League campaigns next month".

That is good news for Marcos Rojo, Phil Jones and Memphis Depay says the paper, but not for Bastian Schweinsteiger and Adnan Januzaj.

"United are confident of being able to offload Schweinsteiger, with the German midfielder attracting interest from within the Premier League, Italy and the United States," says the paper. But the future of Januzaj is less clear-cut, especially with United smarting from the £88m loss they have made on Pogba after they let him leave for Juventus in 2012.

After that experience, United are reluctant to "completely cut their ties" with Januzaj who is regarded as another player of "immense potential". He could be sent out on loan, possibly to Sunderland.

Juan Mata could also be surplus to requirements. CaughtOffside says he has been targeted by Everton, who are "plotting ways to strengthen their squad after losing John Stones to Manchester City this week".

Mata played for Everton boss Ronald Koeman at Valencia and the two could now be reunited, claims the paper.

Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba unveiled in Old Trafford laundry

09 August

Paul Pogba finally rolled into Old Trafford on Monday to undergo a medical and complete his world record £89m transfer to Manchester United, and it was also a chance for the former Red Devil to reacquaint himself with some of the staff who were at the Theatre of Dreams during his previous stint at the club four years ago.

But having put so much effort into luring him back, it seems the club's marketing department forgot to stage manage his return correctly.

As Metro reports, the Old Trafford laundry ladies were the first to get a picture of the Frenchman in a United shirt and British rapper Stormzy, who like Pogba is sponsored by Adidas, posted a video on Facebook featuring the player in a United top that confirmed the news before the club announcement.

But soon after those leaks the club officially announced that Pogba had signed for United through a statement on their website.

Announcing that they were "delighted" that Pogba had left Juventus, United said that the 23-year-old Frenchman had agreed a five-year contract, with the option to extend for a further year.

The statements that followed were suitably gushing with Pogba declaring that United "has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with Jose Mourinho... I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can’t wait to make my contribution to the team. This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.”

For his part, Mourinho simpered: “Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future. He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is."

So in short, after months of drawn-out speculation, everyone's finally happy.

Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba awaits medical after £89m deal

8 August

There were two reasons for United fans to celebrate on Sunday with their 2-1 victory over Leicester in the Community Shield overshadowed by the news that the club had finally got their hands on Paul Pogba.

The summer's most protracted transfer saga reached its denouement on Sunday, starting with a brief statement on the official United website that ran: "Paul Pogba has been granted permission to have a medical in order to finalise his transfer from Juventus to Manchester United."

Within hours, Jose Mourinho was telling the press that he was excited at the prospect of working with the 23-year-old midfielder, who arrives from Juventus four years after he walked out of Old Trafford and headed for Turin.

"He comes because he knows the club, knows the city, many of the players and wants to be an important part of the project," said the United manager, not long after Zlatan Ibrahimovic had scored the winner against Leicester.

The BBC says United will pay Juventus "a world record £89m" but Mourinho was unrepentant about the fee, saying: "What is expensive and not expensive in football? I don't know any more. I just know he is a big player... Football is crazy and the market has become crazy. What you think this season is crazy, you realise three years later it's not crazy any more." According to the BBC, Pogba "will have a medical in the next few days with the deal due to be completed in midweek."

Meanwhile the Daily Star says that Galatasaray are closing in on United outcasts Bastian Schweinsteiger and Antonio Valencia. German veteran Schweinsteiger has been, in the eyes of some, bullied by Jose Mourinho since the latter's arrival at Old Trafford. And while there have been calls in some quarters to detain the Special One at Her Majesty's Pleasure, it seems the more probable outcome is the departure of Schweinsteiger.

The Star, taking Turkish newspaper AMK as its source, claims that "Galatasaray are readying a bid for both players". Not that the bid amounts to much with the Turks prepared to pay £3m for Schweinsteiger and £1.25m for Valencia. Small though the bid is, United could accept just to get shot of the pair.

Valencia joined United in 2009 from Wigan for £16m but the Ecuador international has been plagued by injuries in recent seasons and the Star expects him to move to Galatasaray on a four-year deal.

Man Utd transfer news: When will Paul Pogba be unveiled?

05 August

The never-ending saga of Paul Pogba's move to Manchester United continues to rumble on a day after the media definitively announced the deal had been finalised - probably.

Despite all the headlines and talk of record transfer fees, with the deal estimated at somewhere between £100m and £112m, there has still not been any official confirmation, although the local paper, the Manchester Evening News, claims to have the inside track.

"United concluded a deal for Pogba while he holidayed in the United States and it is understood Pogba will officially be unveiled before the Premier League season starts," it declares. "Jose Mourinho wanted the £100m deal concluded by the end of this week and United have succeeded in doing so, having already agreed personal terms with Pogba's agent Mino Raiola almost a month ago."

The paper claims Pogba initially favoured a move to Real Madrid, but was persuaded by agent Mino Raiola that a return to Old Trafford would be best. Whether or not that had anything to do with his slice of the action remains unclear, but the MEN says United "reached a breakthrough in negotiations with Juventus over Raiola's commission last week".

But when will official confirmation come - and when will the fans finally see Pogba in a red top?

According to the Daily Express, which takes a tweet from journalist Kaveh Solhekol as its source, Pogba will be a United player by Sunday.

So with Pogba done and dusted, who else is on Old Trafford's radar?

The Daily Telegraph says United are "tracking" Jese Rodriguez, who is likely to fall further down the pecking order at Real Madrid this season.

"The midfielder's future has been uncertain since Zinedine Zidane took over and United are reportedly set to pounce should he formally announce that he wants out of the Bernabeu," reports the Daily Mirror, which adds Rodriguez cost around £70m.

The question of why United would spend upwards of £100m on an attacking midfielder and days later buy another player in roughly the same position for £70m remains unanswered.

Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba deal still on...or is it?

04 August

Another day brings another round of speculation over the future of Paul Pogba after the stunning claim on Wednesday that the deal was off.

Despite reports over the weekend that the 23-year-old French midfielder had agreed to leave Juventus for the club he left in 2012, it was claimed yesterday that he will remain at Juventus.

The news that Pogba wouldn't be rejoining United was delivered by the player himself, who is currently on a one-man tour of the USA. As the Daily Mail reports, when he was approached by broadcaster IFTV outside his hotel in New York and asked if will stay at Juventus, Pogba replied: "Yeah".

The Daily Mirror also reports the incredible volte-face and adds that Pogba's appearance in the Big Apple has "led to speculation" that Real Madrid could yet make a move for the playmaker with Zinedine Zidane’s side playing Bayern Munich at the MetLife Stadium tonight.

However, is IFTV's scoop quite what it seems? The 'broadcaster' is actually a video blog by two US football fans who filmed themselves with a phone doorstepping Pogba outside a hotel.

His response to their questions was "merely a diplomatic answer", says the Manchester Evening News, which adds that this summer Pogba "has teased and trolled United fans and hopefully the wait will come to an end soon".

And the end could come very soon says The Sun. It claims that Pogba is "thought to have clinched an Old Trafford deal", although they offer little in the way of evidence.

Likewise the Daily Telegraph believes the deal is still very much on. "United are expected publicly to announce they have reached an agreement with Juventus before Pogba undergoes a medical, signs a contract and the formalities of the protracted deal are concluded," it declares. "There is some optimism that could happen before the Community Shield against Leicester City on Sunday, although given the drawn-out nature of the transfer saga, sources at Old Trafford have been reluctant to make predictions."

Man Utd transfer news: Pogba wait, Schweinsteiger exit

03 August

And still the wait for Paul Pogba goes on at Old Trafford, but with talk of deal still hanging in the air, are United be about to lose the services of another midfielder?

Yes, says The Sun, which reports that Bastian Schweinsteiger could be about to do a bunk to Bayern Munich 12 months after the 31-year-old left the club for United.

The veteran German midfielder struggled in his first season at Old Trafford with injury and the Sun says that new boss Jose Mourinho has made it clear Schweinsteiger is not part of his plans.

The German, who left Bayern having won eight Bundesliga titles in 17 years, is still adored by the fans and it seems, the club board. Asked if Schweinsteiger would be welcomed back to the Allianz Arena, Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge told German rag Bild: "Should he [Schweinsteiger] speak in the future at some point about a desire to return then we will discuss it with him."

The only stumbling block, however, would be whether new boss Carlo Ancelotti has room for Schweinsteiger in a midfield containing Thiago Alcantara, Javi Martinez, Xabi Alonso, Arturo Vidal and Renato Sanches.

Man Utd transfer news: Does 'cryptic' Paul Pogba tweet mean deal is on?

02 August

It's not just Manchester United who are getting frustrated as they wait for a conclusion to the Paul Pogba saga, the British press is also working itself into a lather with the 23-year-old French midfielder still no closer to an Old Trafford return than he was last week.

That might explain the reaction of the Daily Mirror to a tweet from Pogba, sent as he waited to return to Europe from his holiday Stateside.

Under a photo of himself he tweeted: "Flight delay, thinking of football #footballislife." According to the Mirror the "cryptic" tweet is irrefutable evidence that "he is set to fly to England to complete his world record transfer to Manchester United".

Maybe the Juventus midfielder was indeed thinking about linking up with Wayne Rooney and Zlatan at the Theatre of Dreams, or perhaps he was wondering how France lost to Portugal in the final of the European Championships, or if he was allowed to tuck into the giant Toblerone he bought in duty free.

"Starlet Wars" is how The Sun describes the battle between Leicester and Manchester United to sign Liandro Martis. The 20-year-old winger from Curacao, once with Dutch club Feyenoord but now a free agent, has been attracting interest from the Foxes for a while now. But the Sun says that United, despite failing to qualify for this season's Champions League, still have more pulling power than the Premier League champions, and consequently are in "pole position" to sign Martis.

The youngster came to the attention of United during a recent trial period with Oldham and they're now giving the wideman a trial of their own with a view to making him an offer that he can't resist.

Finally, ESPN is just one of several media outlets to report the comments of David Moyes at his first press conference as Sunderland manager. Rumours have been gathering pace that the Scot wants to lure Marouane Fellaini and Adnan Januzaj away from Old Trafford, and when that was put to him, he replied: "If any of those good players want to join me I'd be happy to have them. They're excellent players. We're interested but I'm sure there's a load of other clubs that are as well."

Moyes worked with Fellaini at both Everton and United, while he also gave Januzaj his Red Devils debut during the few months he was Old Trafford.

Man Utd transfer news: Rooney eager for news of Paul Pogba

01 August

There was no movement on the Paul Pogba transfer saga over the weekend but the Daily Express says this morning that United are still "closing in on a deal" for the France midfielder although nothing has yet been officially agreed.

That hasn't stopped Wayne Rooney musing on the possible return of the 23-year-old to Old Trafford, four years after Pogba left for Juventus. "I hope he is going to want to return to United and prove he's a top-class player," the Express quotes Rooney as saying. "If he is excited to play for us, we'll be excited to have him back. I’m sure he'll feel there is unfinished business, and it would be a very big statement by the club if they can make it happen."

If the move does indeed happen, and United pay Juventus the reported £100m that the media claims is on the cards, Arsene Wenger believes it will be a "crazy" investment on the part of the Red Devils.

Speaking in Los Angeles ahead of the Gunners preseason game against Mexican club Chivas, Wenger was asked about the possibility of Pogba moving to Old Trafford for £100m: "It is completely crazy if you cannot afford to pay it,"replied the Arsenal manager.

"Football has become a worldwide competition and that is why clubs can afford to do it. Does it make sense in the way the player can give you that investment back? Nobody ever could calculate... maybe in a few years it will be £200m, £300m, who knows."

Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba deal on, medical booked in LA

29 July

Could the biggest saga of the transfer window come to a conclusion today? There are reports that Man United will finally get their man, with Paul Pogba undergoing a medical in Los Angeles.

According to the Daily Telegraph the world record deal has finally been sanctioned by the man who pulls the strings - Pogba's agent Mino Raiola.

"It was initially suggested that Raiola wanted a £20m cut from the proposed transfer, and prevented a medical taking place earlier in the week unless he received it," says the paper. But like all agents he has his clients best interests at heart and the Telegraph cites reports in Italy that say he has generously settled "for a £10m payout and will accept remuneration via other means which have not yet been revealed".

So how much will Pogba cost United? According to the Daily Star, the Red Devils will spend a "staggering" £178m to complete the Frenchman's transfer from Juventus. The paper says that on Thursday evening the two clubs "finally agreed a £112m transfer fee", but on top of that sum the 23-year-old midfielder will earn £275,000-a-week in his five-year contract, putting another £66m to United's outlay. Not surprisingly, says the Star, that "will make Pogba the most expensive footballer on the planet".

Elsewhere, amid rumours that Marcos Rojo and Daley Blind may leave Old Trafford in the next month, the Daily Mail says that United "will consider reviving interest" in "wily" defender Joao Miranda.

The paper says that Jose Mourinho regards the 31-year-old as a good addition to a relatively inexperienced back four, which includes new signing Eric Bailly. Miranda is on a two-year loan deal at Inter Milan from Atletico Madrid and he impressed in his first Serie A season.

If the move for Miranda fails, says the paper, other options include Monaco's right-back Fabinho.

On his way out of Old Trafford appears to be Will Keane with ESPN saying that United are "prepared to sell" the 23-year-old striker. Five clubs have apparently made enquiries, all of them attracted by what ESPN describes as his "cut-price fee of £1m.". Keane scored the first goal of Jose Mourinho's reign during the 2-0 pre-season friendly win at Wigan Athletic a fortnight ago but it appears that wasn't enough to convince the Special One to retain a player who came through United's academy with the rather more expensive Pogba.

Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba books medical after £100m bid

28 July

Paul Pogba should be a Manchester United player by the end of the week. That's the claim of The Guardian, which reports that United "believe they have made a significant breakthrough" in their pursuit of the French playmaker.

Their bullishness is down to a new offer they have tabled that is worth approximately €110m with €10m in add-ons. That's equivalent to £100m in total and United have also agreed to Juventus's demand on a "future payment of around €5m if Pogba extends his contract" with United.

But getting Pogba and Juventus on board is only half the battle, now they must agree terms with Pogba's agent Mino Raiola, who is allegedly wanting a €20m fee for his part in the transfer, but it's expected that this will be forthcoming such is Jose Mourinho's desperation to sign the 23-year-old Pogba.

Indeed the Guardian goes on to say that United are "so confident about the deal" that Pogba is now making arrangements for his Old Trafford medical.

It's believed that the breakthrough came after news emerged from Spain that Real Madrid were still sniffing around Pogba. Real coach Zinedine Zidane had admitted he was "interested" in his compatriot and it's likely that that disclosure galvanised United into making Juventus an improved offer. The Sun backs up the Guardian with the tabloid quoting a Juventus source saying: “A deal with United is done.”

Man Utd transfer news: Devils turn to Jesus as Pogba deal stalls

27 July

With little movement on the Paul Pogba deal Manchester United have switched their attention to the next best thing - Jesus. And according to the The Sun they're likely to get their man.

The paper says that United "are locked in a bidding war" with Manchester City over Palmeiras forward Gabriel Jesus. The 19-year-old Brazilian sharpshooter has a release clause of £20m but the hype around the player means his fee will far exceed that.

City failed when they offered Palmeiras £26.8m and United have now tabled a £30m bid, which they believe will be enough to see off City, as well as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain, all of whom are interested in Jesus.

The Sao Paulo-based club Palmeiras are ready to sell to the highest bidder and the Sun says that will likely be United with Jose Mourinho regarding the young striker as full of potential and ready to develop playing in a squad containing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney.

Elsewhere and the Manchester Evening News says that United are "exploring the possibility" of signing Juventus centre-back Leonardo Bonucci. Mourinho knows he has to beef up his defence as well as his frontline ahead of the new season and he apparently sees the 29-year-old as possessing the necessary toughness and experience to stiffen the sinews of the United defence.

But Bonucci, who had an impressive Euro 16 campaign for his country, has been a rock in the Juventus defence and the Italian champions are unlikely to let him go for anything under £30m.

Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba deal could be worth €120m

25 July

Manchester United have upped the ante in their increasingly frantic attempts to bring Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford.

According to The Guardian, the Red Devils "have submitted an increased bid of £92m (€110m) plus a further €10m in add-ons" in the hope that this time Juventus will relent, after knocking back their previous offers for the player.

The saga took a twist over the weekend as Juventus agreed a £79m deal for Gonzalo Higuain, which could force the Italian club to cash in on Pogba.

The Higuain transfer "all but confirms a deal [for Pogba] is in the offing", says The Sun, which says the Italian club do not have the money to cover the deal and will need to sell their star player to pay for Higuain.

Or will they? The Guardian is less convinced and says that buying Higuain "does not mean they will be forced to sell Pogba".

But if United think that the Italians' capture of Gonzalo Higuaín from Napoli for a fee of €95m might weaken their resolve, the Guardian advises them to think again because apparently his signature "does not mean they will be forced to sell Pogba".

It's common knowledge that the France midfielder’s agent, Mino Raiola, has been in talks with United over the terms of a five-year contract with reports that Pogba's wage demands have been agreed which, should the transfer go ahead, would net the 23-year-old - who left Old Trafford four years ago - a basic salary of about £11m a year plus incentives.

But with the playmaker contracted to Juve until the end of the 2018-19 season the Guardian says the Italians are ready to play hardball over Europe's hottest property and they are demanding "an additional €10m" on top of United's initial bid of €110m.

Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho gets tough over Paul Pogba deal

22 July

Jose Mourinho has raised the stakes as Manchester United close in on a record-breaking deal to sign Paul Pogba, promising to walk away from the deal if it is not completed soon.

United have made a second offer of £92m for the French midfield star after their initial £85m bid was rejected by the Italian giants, but the Daily Telegraph reports the United manager will target other midfield options if negotiations with Juventus drag on.

Juventus are said to want £100m and there are further complications about who should pay agent Mino Raiola's cut, thought to up to £18m.

And amid the negotiations, the Telegraph refers to what could be a "game of bluff" as Mourinho hints at other midfield options if the Pogba deal falls through. Targets are thought to include Chelsea's Nemanja Matic and Blaise Matuidi, of Paris Saint-Germain.

"I don't confirm and I don't deny, I cannot tell," said Mourinho when asked about the Pogba transfer during United's pre-season tour of China.

"We established four important target profiles – not faces, profiles – and we got three of them at the very early stage and now we have 25 per cent of our market to conclude until 31 Aug 31 and that player [Pogba] is not the only one.

"We're going to get a fourth player but maybe it's not the one you think. We are calm, we know the profile of the player we want and we have three faces to fill that profile. I am really confident Mr Woodward and the owners will get the profile of player that I think the squad needs to have a good balance.

"Pogba is a Juventus player, not a Manchester United player. If any club wants one of my players and it speaks about him I would not be happy. What we are trying to do, we are trying to do in an honest, correct, institutional way."

Raiola yesterday denied reports that United had already agreed a deal.

He took to his Twitter account to say: "There is no deal done regarding Paul Pogba, lots of bla bla bla."

However, Metro reports that Raiola has now flown to America, where Pogba is on holiday, to finalise details of the deal. It cites website Di Marzio which says negotiations are at an advanced stage.

United fans worried the deal might fall through can take comfort from The Sun, which could be accused of clutching at straws as it pictures Pogba playing football in a red basketball vest and points out that he is wearing the colours of Manchester United.

Man Utd transfer news: £100m deal for Paul Pogba agreed

21 July

Manchester United have now sealed a deal to sign Paul Pogba, and the Daily Mirror reports that they club have agreed to pay Juventus a world record £100m for the France midfield star.

He will sign a five-year contract worth £210,000 a week with an additional £8m on the transfer fee based on performance-related bonuses.

The Mirror says executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward thrashed out the deal with Juve directors Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici, as well as the player’s agent Mino Raiola, as the Man United squad jetted out to China for a pre-season tour.

More proof of the deal comes from The Sun, which claims the transfer fee is actually £105m. It says that Pogba has given notice on the flat he rents in Turin that he will be leaving.

United have been heavily linked with the 23-year-old throughout the summer and it appears the long-running saga is finally coming to an end. The Red Devils have been confident of landing Pogba, who helped France to the European Championships final, due to the size of the fee, although Spanish giants Real Madrid were also interested in signing him.

Pogba is a former United trainee, but quit Old Trafford at the age of 19 in 2012 due to a lack of first team opportunities. He has gone on to become one of the world’s hottest properties during his time with Juventus.

There is some bad news for United fans with the Sun reporting that defender Raphael Varane will not be moving to Old Trafford.

The paper cites Spanish rag Marca, which says the central defender has rejected an approach to team up again with Jose Mourinho and vowed to fight for his place in the Real Madrid side.

Varane was the third choice centre-back at Real Madrid last season behind Sergio Ramos and Pepe and struggled with injuries. Mourinho signed Varane from Lens in 2011 when he was in charge at The Bernabeu.

Man Utd transfer news: £100m deal for Paul Pogba this week

20 July

Manchester United are closing in on a record-breaking deal to sign Paul Pogba and have made an opening offer of £85m to land the French superstar.

The long-running summer saga, which could turn out to be the biggest transfer in history, has moved up a gear in recent days. The Daily Star says Juventus are likely to reject United’s opening offer but the Old Trafford club will break the bank to get their man.

That means the transfer fee is likely to rise to more than £100m, which would make Pogba the most expensive player in history, eclipsing the £85m Real Madrid paid Tottenham for Gareth Bale in 2013.

The paper claims executive vice chairman Ed Woodward has already agreed personal terms with Pogba, 23, worth an incredible £280,000 a week.

Officials from the clubs are expected to meet this week to thrash out a deal, although Juventus are waiting for Pogba to say he wants to leave to justify the sale to fans.

The Daily Mirror says Woodward missed the club's flight to China yesterday to get the deal done. He was scheduled to fly out with the team for a pre-season tour but will remain in England because United boss Jose Mourinho wants the transfer completed by the end of the week.

Pogba is currently on on a well-photographed holiday in America where he seems to be spending a lot of time with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.

The big money move is covered by all the main media outlets and the the Daily Mail says there are sure to be departures from Old Trafford to make way for the arrival of Pogba.

Players under threat include Juan Mata, Marcos Rojo, Daly Blind and Morgan Schneiderlin who is attracting interest from Everton. The Sun claims striker James Wilson is about to join Fulham on loan.

Pogba was an trainee at Old Trafford but left United in 2012 when Sir Alex Ferguson refused to meet his wage demands.

Man Utd transfer news: Will Real Madrid torpedo £125m Pogba deal?

19 July

Manchester United's hopes of signing Paul Pogba may have been torpedoed by Real Madrid, who are also interested in the French midfielder and, as The Sun points out, can offer Champions League football next season.

United have been heavily linked with a £105m move for the Juventus superstar and boss Jose Mourinho's pre-season preparations have apparently been based around the assumption that he will be at Old Trafford next term.

But The Sun says Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane would also love to have Pogba, 23, in his line-up.

"Do I like Pogba? Of course," said the Madrid boss. "He's a very good player and every club wants the best players. But right now he's at Juve and we have a large squad already."

United fans might take heart from Zidane's closing remarks but Real Madrid are nothing if not canny in the transfer market and are unlikely to let Pogba move without at least testing the waters themselves.

But United fans worried that the move might be scuppered can take comfort from the Daily Telegraph. It cites Italian publication Gazetta Dello Sport which claims United have offered £125m for Pogba and that a deal is close to being finalised.

United, meanwhile, are interested in signing Monaco fullback Fabinho, according to a report in the Daily Mail. The Brazilian right-back has been on United's radar since last year and Monaco have promised the 22-year-old they will let him go during the summer

A £12m move to Napoli fell through earlier this month and Monaco now value Fabinho at £25m, which could be another example of the Premier League premium being applied to transfer fees in the light of the new Sky TV deal.

United could face a fight to hold on to Germany midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger, who had an average first season at Old Trafford and is now attracting interest from Turkish club Besiktas and French side Paris Saint-Germain.

But if he does leave there could be a replacement on the way as the Sun reports that United are locked in a four-way battle for Portugal midfielder Andre Gomes. They face competition from Chelsea, Barcelona and Real Madrid for the midfielder who helped Portugal win the European Championships. Gomes, 22, who currently plays for Valencia, would command a fee of £54m.

Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho convinced Paul Pogba will sign

13 July

Paul Pogba's £100m move to Manchester United has yet to be confirmed, but Jose Mourinho is already acting like he is one of his players, according to The Sun, and planning his tactics around the French ace.

Pogba has been heavily linked with a summer move to Old Trafford and although United have apparently not yet made an official bid to Juventus for the 23-year-old midfield star, that has not stopped United boss Mourinho planning for the future with him in midfield, according to the Sun, which uses French newspaper L'Equipe as the source for its story.

United are expected to make an official bid shortly with officials from both clubs locked in talks over a deal that could be worth £200,000 a week to Pogba.

But Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri is bullish about his chances of persuading his star player to stay, saying Pogba wants to play for a major Champions League club.

Allegri's comments comments in Gazetto dello Sport are picked up the Daily Mail, which notes that United failed to qualify for this season's Champions League.

"Anyone who has the opportunity to leave Juventus has to consider things very carefully, because right now Juve are among the top four European clubs," said Allegri. "This is not a selling club that just lets its players go. Pogba belongs to Juve and at the end of the day he too will want to win another Scudetto and hopefully the Champions League."

Man Utd transfer news: Paul Pogba 'won't rule out' return

15 July

Paul Pogba has been pranked at an awards ceremony in Los Angeles and as a result the Daily Telegraph is just one of the papers to read furiously between the lines.

The France midfielder was attending a gala Stateside when, during an interview with ESPN, replica shirts of Juventus, Real Madrid and United were pulled out of a bag, and much has been made of his reaction.

When he saw the Juventus kit, Pogba purred: "This is my team, my family, where I am playing. I am happy there.” He then described Real Madrid as a "great club".

On seeing the red of United, he joked: “I don’t know this one” before quitting his joshing and admitting it was “my first club, my first family”.

Asked which shirt he would prefer to wear, he said: "All three."

That response excited the Telegraph whose take on the gag was that Pogba has "refused to rule out a return to Manchester United". What's more, it's apparently left the Red Devils "in pole position" to sign the 23-year-old in the event he falls out with his Juventus family.

Meanwhile the Daily Star says that Jose Mourinho will give "a stay of execution" to both Daley Blind and Marouane Fellaini despite previous claims he wanted to sell the underperforming pair. The paper says that the Portuguese boss may also offer Juan Mata "a chance to salvage his United future" as he takes stock of the squad he inherited from Louis van Gaal.

Fellaini, in particular, was expected to be moved on but the Star says Mourinho is known to favour muscular midfielders and has decided to persist with the Belgian.