Manchester United are continuing to play hardball over the sale of star midfielder Paul Pogba, according to reports in Italy.
One of the best midfielders on the planet on his day, the Frenchman and his agent Mino Raiola have frequently been a disruptive presence since his return to Old Trafford in 2016.
Raiola's claims that his time in the Premier League was 'over' back in December were an unwelcome distraction. Just days later, they exited the Champions League at the hands of RB Leipzig.
In a perhaps unexpected twist, Pogba has since produced some of the best form of his United career in the wake of Raiola's controversial interview.
Despite the media circus, though, United have refused to yield, even in the face of considerable pressure from Juventus.
The Turin giants have made little secret of the fact they want to re-sign the player they sold for close to £100m in 2016 and a new report from Calcio Mercato has detailed their substantial efforts.
It is claimed that, since April, they have put four players on the table in a bid to drive down United's lofty asking price.
But the English club showed no interest in a part exchange deal involving Douglas Costa. Miralem Pjanic, Aaron Ramsey or Adrien Rabiot.
They've stood firm in their demands, consistently declaring that no deal will done unless Juve cough up hard cash and refund their £100m outlay.
The report notes that, even as Pogba prepares to enter the final year on his contract, United have shown no signs of budging.
It begs the question of how long they can persist with their hardball stance before they have to consider cashing in.
Pogba is not understood to be pushing for a move as things stand, but reports in England have suggested that this season's title race, in which United trail Man City by five points, will have a major impact on where he sees his future.
It has been intimated that a title win would convince him to stay. Anything less, though, and he will be looking to move on and see out the rest of his peak years elsewhere.
The situation could end up backing United into a corner when the summer transfer window opens.
Calcio Mercato say that Juve's interest is going nowhere, and if Pogba refuses to extend his contract - due to expire in 2022 - then this summer would represent United's last chance to sell for a substantial fee.
It may make financial sense for the club to take advantage of that, given their own lofty plans to land Jadon Sancho from Borussia Dortmund.
But remains to be seen whether they will cash in, or continue to stare down the competition in the hopes of attaining a huge fee.
