Jose Mourinho is confident of persuading Paul Pogba into making a sensational move back to Manchester United, according to Daily Mail.
The France international left for Juventus on a free transfer four years ago after difficulties between his agent Mino Raiola and then manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
He has since gone on to become one of the world’s most powerful central midfielders, with United ready to sanction a deal comfortably surpassing their record, £59.7million on Angel di Maria.
Mourinho has told friends to expect an £80m signing arriving at Old Trafford this summer. Any deal is likely to include significant additional clauses akin to those inserted into Anthony Martial’s contract, with Monaco due an extra windfall should he earn a Ballon d’Or nomination.
It is understood Mourinho’s claims reference Pogba, who has previously held reservations about a return to English football.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward wants to make a statement of intent for his new manager, whose job it is to make sure United do not fall further behind Premier League rivals.
Their slide since Ferguson’s retirement has been drastic, with no Champions League football for the second time in three seasons.
They see Pogba as the type of all-action midfielder who will help erase the memory of Louis van Gaal’s dismal reign during which United failed to take control of games.
The 23-year-old, who has attracted interest from Real Madrid, still needs to be convinced but would be offered wages of £250,000 a week in the North West.
Mourinho is likely to bat away questions on Pogba when he addresses the media for the first time as United boss on Tuesday – and the club would need to wait until after Euro 2016 to complete the deal.
Outgoing assistant manager Ryan Giggs is left in no doubt that Pogba would be a perfect fit at United.
‘He’s a talented player. He can shoot with both feet, pass the ball with both feet and you don’t realise how big he is,’ Giggs said on ITV.
‘Physically he’s immense, he’s strong, he’s quick, and he’s got everything. He has got everything.’
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