Manchester United Transfer News: Paul Pogba Wants Move, Latest Rumours

Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has reportedly expressed his desire to return to Manchester United this summer.

The 23-year-old left Old Trafford in 2012 and has blossomed into one of the brightest prospects in the world game during his time in Turin. However, according to L’Equipe (h/t Get French Football News), Pogba is ready to head back to United for a second spell:

According to Simon Jones of MailOnline, Pogba will “tell Juventus he needs to leave Turin to further his career” after the UEFA European Championship, in which his France team have progressed to the final. He noted United are chasing the player in a deal that could top a whopping £106 million, although Real Madrid are said to still be in the mix.

Mark Ogden of The Independent has also reported United are "confident" of getting a transfer secured before the Community Shield clash with Leicester City on August 7.

Sky Sports' Guillem Balague reported that Pogba actually prefers a move to Madrid, although the Spanish side could be priced out of a move. "Pogba has made it very clear, to Real Madrid anyway, that he would like to be a Real Madrid player this summer," he said, per Sky Sports News HQ. "He has had conversations with [manager] Zinedine Zidane and he wants to play for Zidane."

It’s a massive amount of money for a footballer who’s undeniably talented but still has plenty to learn about the game. Here is a look back at a brilliant 2015-16 campaign for Pogba:

Should a deal go through, United fans wouldn’t be too concerned about the money spent on the player, as they’d be getting a potentially world-class midfield man for many years to come.

Fans would have been witness to Pogba’s engrossing playing style and be keen to see him don the red shirt at Old Trafford again.

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For new United manager Jose Mourinho, securing the Juventus man would be a significant coup. Pogba has long been tipped as a future Ballon d’Or winner, and while there are still rough edges to the France international's game, the Portuguese seems the ideal man to help him become a much more rounded player. Should he channel that tenacity and technical flair, Pogba can be the linchpin of this United side.

As football journalist Simon Kuper noted during the Euros, he’s certainly physical enough to cut it in a Mourinho team:

United’s intent to sign the Juve man seems to be clear, and they have the finances to convince the Italian outfit to sell.

What will be crucial to any deal going through is showing the player there’s an exciting project being unfurled at Old Trafford; it’s what’ll make these latest reports encouraging for United fans.

Hirving Lozano Latest

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According to Pachuca manager Diego Alonso, the club have yet to receive an offer from Manchester United for their exciting young winger Hirving Lozano.

“I am very calm because I know he [Lozano] has spoken with club officials,” he told Univision (h/t Luke Gardener of the Daily Star). “He spoke with [chairman] Jesus Martinez and they explained to him the reality of the situation. And the reality is that today he must be fully focused on Pachuca because there is absolutely nothing [with Manchester United].”

As noted by Gardener, the player’s father-in-law had previously claimed that a deal with the Red Devils was close to being done. Here is a look at why there is so much excitement about the Mexico international:

With the signings of Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan done, plus strong links to Pogba, the identity of the four players Mourinho suggested he wanted to sign in his first press conference as United boss seems clear. So it’d be a big surprise if the Red Devils were to move for someone of Lozano’s stature.

While supremely skilful and exciting to watch, a move to a club like United could also potentially be too soon for the 20-year-old.

The winger still has plenty of development to do, and given the scrutiny the Old Trafford club will be under next season, it may not be the ideal destination for him to continue his progression.