Manchester United Transfer News: Jose Mourinho Talks Amid Paul Pogba Rumours

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has spoken of his desire to land the club's fourth signing of the summer, with Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba expected to be the player to whom he's referring. 

Striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic followed centre-back Eric Bailly to Old Trafford last week, while Henrikh Mkhitaryan is expected to sign after Borussia Dortmund confirmed his departure, per Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News.

Mourinho was quoted by the Telegraph's James Ducker on his plans moving forward:

Pogba has been linked with former club United for most of this year, but what once seemed an unlikely deal is now edging closer to completion, according to the latest reports.

La Liga expert Guillem Balague also stated that Mourinho confirmed he's not permitted to announce one of the signings.

The Portuguese was announced as United boss at the end of May and has taken little time in splurging funds in order to renovate the squad, with Pogba potentially moving back to his old outfit from Turin this summer.

The bookmakers have also responded to speculation by slashing the odds on the 23-year-old's move back to Manchester, with Real Madrid looking a more distant runner-up now, per Bleacher Report's Sean Fay:

According to Mike Keegan, Ian Ladyman and Pete Jenson of the Daily Mail, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez isn't totally sold on the Juve talisman, either, meaning United could have their opening to land the star.

ESPN's Alex Shaw added that due to his age, a return to United could still function as little more than a stepping stone for Pogba, should he one day still feel the urge to move to the Santiago Bernabeu:

The transfer window has officially been open for less than a week, and yet the Red Devils have moved swiftly to seal what Mourinho described as the majority of their transfer priorities.

That being said, Pogba stands out as the most essential component in the recruitment drive—not to mention the most expensive—although ESPN FC's Liam Twomey believes there are better options available:

Mourinho has several personnel decisions to make this summer, with Morgan Schneiderlin and Bastian Schweinsteiger's places in doubt, while Michael Carrick again enters the final year of his deal after penning a 12-month extension.

Having left for free in 2012, Pogba could be the glue that brings this summer's influx of talent together, or he could be the one who slipped away.