Juventus are preparing a bid of £120m for Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba, according to The Times, pushing United towards capturing Sergej Milinkovic-Savic from Lazio.
Pogba has made clear in recent weeks that he wants to leave United, having reportedly revealed to his former Juve teammates that he wanted to return to Turin during one of their birthday parties earlier this year.
Juve are keen to bring Pogba back to the Juventus Stadium and believe a bid of more than £100m could be enough to persuade United’s hierarchy to part with a player than cost around £90m.
United have long identified Milinkovic-Savic as a potential midfield talent and although he has not performed as impressively over the past six months, he is still highly regarded.
The Spanish-born Serbia international is the kind of dominant midfield force that United believe can adequately replace Pogba, although he is expected to cost upwards of £80m.
And after his agent flew to London this week, the rumour mill has started up with the possibility that United have begun talking about personal terms with the player.
United remain interested in Sporting’s attacking midfielder Bruno Fernandes, but are yet to make a concrete offer.
The Mirror reports that Fernandes has a gentleman’s agreement with the club that should a £35m offer come in, it would be accepted, but United are playing the transfer cautiously and are in talks with agent Miguel Pinho before forcing the issue with Sporting.
United goalkeeper David de Gea is set to stay with the club and will sign a new £350,000-a-week contract which will keep him at Old Trafford for the next five years.
De Gea’s current deal runs out next summer and rather than risk losing him on a free, United have decided to invest in the man they consider to be the best keeper in the world.
In more goalkeeper news, England U21 keeper Dean Henderson is set to go on loan to Sheffield United where he could be in line to get Premier League experience with the promoted side.
Harry Maguire remains a top centre-back target, even more so than Kalidou Koulibaly, but Leicester are demanding more than £80m for the England international.
United were hoping to pay around £60-70m and with negotiations stuck, it seems this one could be drawn out through the summer.
They reportedly offered £70m plus Marcos Rojo last week but that was rejected outright by the Foxes, who want the full £80m+ up front.
