Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours, Players Linked to Red Devils

Manchester United are reportedly in advanced negotiations with Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba over a big-money return to Old Trafford.

The Frenchman left United under something of a cloud back in 2012, but since his free transfer to Turin, he’s gone on to become one of the most highly rated players in world football.

Although we’ve heard many times that Pogba’s future is settled away from Juventus, this time the rumours come straight from the club, with manager Massimiliano Allegri confirming his midfielder is in talks with another side, per Mike Keegan of MailOnline:

"Pogba is a Juventus player at the moment but we don't know what is going to happen. The club are looking after negotiations."

Salvatore Laporta/Associated Press

Plus, it seems the Juventus boss has almost made his peace with losing Pogba. The Italian giants recently signed Dinamo Zagreb midfielder Marko Pjaca, and Allegri said he has more than enough talent at his disposal even if the 23-year-old jumps ship:

"He [Pjaca] is another quality addition so whatever happens with Pogba, we will be in good shape."

United have been rather busy in the summer transfer window so far, with Eric Bailly, Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Zlatan Ibrahimovic all signing on the dotted line at the Theatre of Dreams.

Such high-profile names will shake up United’s underperforming roster, but there’s still business to be done.

Manager Jose Mourinho remained coy on the Pogba situation during an interview with Sky Sports News HQ, although he said there is a fourth transfer target in mind for the club:

Juventus are believed to be demanding a world-record £100 million for Pogba's services, which takes the phrase "silly season" to a whole new level.

However, Bleacher Report UK broke down the figures to reveal that the staggering transfer fee is more affordable than once thought:

With an eye-watering price tag comes an enormous amount of pressure, but Pogba has more than enough ability to take it all in his stride.

One player who agrees is Pogba’s international team-mate Dimitri Payet, who told French radio station RTL that the Juventus man is an "exceptional" talent (via Sky Sports):

"

I can't tell you if Pogba is worth that price today but all I know is that he's an exceptional player.

So regardless of the club that would buy Pogba and regardless of the price, it will certainly be an exceptional recruit for this team.

And I'm sure that Paul can help this club to grow and to win trophies.

"

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Elsewhere, United are set to make a £54 million approach for out-of-favour Real Madrid attacker James Rodriguez, according to Spanish outlet El Confidencial (via Aaron Flanagan of Daily Mirror).

Rodriguez has been linked with the Bernabeu exit door for some time now, but he insisted to Marca that even though the club have received a big bid for his services, he’s happy to stay and fight for his place (via Sky Sports):

"I will fight to earn my place. That’s my dream. I will stay at Real Madrid, I will succeed here. I know that the club received an €85 million bid for me, but I’m not leaving."

United’s apparent offer is likely to come up a long way short, then, but if the Pogba transfer gets over the line, it won’t matter a jot.

United have been disappointing, to say the least, since Sir Alex Ferguson departed the club, but they’re finally starting to look like an outfit capable of recreating the glory days.

The club want the Premier League trophy back, and with Mourinho working alongside a talented squad of players, you’d be brave to bet against them wrestling it away from Leicester City.