Manchester City are set to kick-off their summer of spending in the next week by offering a staggering £71million for former Manchester United player Paul Pogba.
The Juventus midfielder, who is also a target for Barcelona, is said to be one of the highest priorities for City, who also have want-away Liverpool winger Raheem Sterling on their radar.
City, who have been helped in their quest to sign the midfielder by a loosening of the FIFA FFP sanctions previously imposed on them, are hoping to have the deal signed and delivered in time for their two week pre-season tour of Australia which starts next week.
It is thought that even though Barcelona made an offer worth £57million for the player recently, they are struggling to convince the player that his short-term future still lies at the Italian champions, because of their current transfer ban that only ends next year.
Suggestions that Barcelona coach Luis Enrique doesn’t want Pogba have served to only muddy the waters for the Spanish club, and this confusion will be music to the ears of Manchester City.
As a show of intent by City, they are willing to pay Juventus’ asking price in its entirety as well as the gargantuan £240,000 a week salary that the player will command.
Yet, in a small twist in the saga, Manchester United are set to receive £1million from the transfer because of his time spent at Old Trafford during his time at the club as a youth player.
