Manchester United Transfer News: Paul Pogba, Matteo Darmian Swap Plan Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly hoping to tempt Juventus into selling Paul Pogba back to them by offering Italy right-back Matteo Darmian in part-exchange. 

According to the Sun's Daniel Cutts, Red Devils boss Jose Mourinho is "desperate" to land the France international and is intent on bringing him back to the club he departed four years ago.

Alessandro Di Marco/Associated Press

Darmian only arrived at Old Trafford from Torino last summer, but he could make a quick return to Turin if Mourinho deems Pogba the greater priority this summer.

The report also mentioned United failed with a £60 million approach for the player, and Spanish daily AS reported any suitors will have to fork out a world-record €120 million (£94.2 million) to land his services:

Darmian's inclusion in the deal could help lower the cash amount United would be expected to pay, and the Old Trafford club "want to get back as much of the £12 million" they shelled out for the defender in 2015.

James Robson of the Manchester Evening News recently elaborated on the effect Mourinho has had on negotiations after the Red Devils previously weren't looking to re-sign their former academy star:

According to Pete Jenson of MailOnline, Real Madrid will rival United for Pogba and feel their allegiances with Adidas—with whom the midfielder recently signed a 10-year contract—could put them in pole position to sign him.

However, United signed a world-record deal with Adidas in 2014, meaning they could boast the same advantage. Pogba recently demonstrated his talents in an advertisement for the sportswear titans:

Juventus may need new faces in defence too, after the Sun's Alvise Cagnazzo reported incoming Chelsea head coach Antonio Conte wants Stephan Lichtsteiner, although Barca star Dani Alves is close to a move to Turin.

Gianluca Di Marzio translator David Amoyal recently outlined the Bianconeri will have no need for Darmian, however, owing to their riches at full-back, particularly if Alves does arrive this summer:

Pogba has excelled since moving to Juventus in 2012 and has made 178 appearances for the Italians, winning Serie A in each of his four seasons with the club.

However, Mourinho appears to be fuelling United's approach to bring their former starlet back from Italy, and it seems they're hoping a player-plus-cash deal involving Darmian will be enough to seal his return.