Manchester United are prepared to sell star midfielder Paul Pogba this summer should he fail to sign a new mega-deal at the club, according to reports.
Pogba is happier than at any time since a world-record £89million move to rejoin the club from Juventus in 2016 and was outstanding in United’s 6-2 win against Roma in last week’s Europa League semi-final first leg.
The Frenchman’s current United contract runs out next year amid protracted speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
The Mirror however claim United will open talks with the 28-year-old regarding a fresh £400,000-a-week deal later this month, which would see him overtake David De Gea as the highest-paid player at the club.
But the same outlet and The Sun claim that should the France international refuse to commit his long-term future to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men, the club will not hesitate to move him on, especially if super agent Mino Raiola’s demands become too taxing.
To help finance a move, both reports add United are planning to sell Spain goalkeeper De Gea – who currently earns £350,000 per week – to fund his current French team-mate’s new deal, with Dean Henderson then becoming the undisputed No 1.
But United are aware that they are in a race against time to convince Pogba to stay and are keen for progress to be made on negotiations before he represents world champions France at the European Championships this summer.
Pogba has also been linked with a move to former club Juventus, and the list of high-profile suitors has made United reportedly desperate for talks with Raiola, as they are keen to avoid a repeat of nine years ago, when they lost him to the Italian giants on a free transfer.
The reports add while Old Trafford chiefs will not bow to whatever Raiola demands, they are aware their position will be weaker if the situation is not resolved by the start of the Euros, with his valuation dropping by the month in their bid to recoup the £89m fee they paid to re-sign him.
And with both Juventus and Real Madrid in financial turmoil amid the coronavirus pandemic, that appears unlikely, albeit that United’s preference is to see Pogba commit the prime years of his career to the Old Trafford side.
United have reportedly begun searching the market potential replacements for Pogba with Declan Rice, Wilfred Ndidi and Saul Niguez all featuring on the list.
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