Manchester United Transfer News: Paul Pogba Asks to Leave Juventus, Bid Rumours
Juventus have reportedly rejected Manchester United's opening £85 million offer to re-sign Paul Pogba, who is said to be looking for an exit from the Turin club.
That's according to Sky in Italy (h/t Sky Sports), which added Juve are still seeking a sum closer to £100 million plus bonuses if they're to sell their star, having dismissed United's initial approach.
The question now is how willing United would be to fork out a nine-figure sum in order to sign a player they lost for nothing four years ago, with Pogba seemingly open to a return.
Bleacher Report's Adam Digby provided a glimpse at the front pages in some of Italy's biggest sports newspapers on Wednesday, corroborating the notion Pogba wishes to leave the Bianconeri:
The script has always read that Juve want to keep the player as long as he wishes to remain with them, but the Old Lady have also been described as willing to sell should Pogba seek a transfer.
According to Sky Sports, Juve informed United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward of the club's decision in a meeting where Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola was present along with Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta.
Pogba is on holiday until August 6 after playing a role in France's run to the UEFA Euro 2016 final, where they suffered a 1-0 extra-time defeat to Portugal.
The midfielder's transfer saga has quickly developed into the biggest of the 2016 summer window, and agent Raiola recently threw fuel on the fire of speculation with an aggressive take on the story, as illustrated by Bleacher Report UK:
Competition for what looks likely to be the most expensive deal in history looks to be slim, too, after Sky Sports added that Real Madrid have already been "priced out" of the running to recruit Pogba.
Italian journalist Tancredi Palmeri also baulked at the fee United are said to be ready to pay for Pogba, but he mentioned the Frenchman does still have a knack for deciding games, despite recent criticism at Euro 2016:
Four years after the player walked out of Old Trafford for nothing more than a paltry compensation fee, new Red Devils manager Jose Mourinho is edging closer to a Pogba return.
The only sticking point now appears to be whether the Premier League titans are ready to give Juve their asking price or if a sum in excess of £100 million will prove too rich even for United's blood.
