Manchester United have reportedly lodged an improved bid of €110m plus an additional €10m in add-ons to Juventus to sign Paul Pogba.
The Bianconeri are looking to secure the best financial package possible out of their European rivals, with United seemingly now desperate to conclude negotiations.
According to The Guardian, the new bid has been made, but Juve are still seeking an additional €10m and have insisted that their likely signing of Gonzalo Higuain is a completely separate matter and doesn’t mean that they will be forced to sell Pogba.
It’s added that the French international’s agent, Mino Raiola, has discussed terms of a five-year contract with United, and an agreement is already in place on personal terms.
However, the major point that is holding up the transfer from being completed is the transfer fee received by Juve, and it sounds as though United will have to dig further into their pockets to satisfy the demands being made by the Italian giants.
It’s claimed that Pogba will have a basic salary of around £11m-a-year plus bonuses, while he will also retain his sponsorship and image rights.
In turn, it’s hardly surprising that the 23-year-old is keen on the switch, as ultimately the financial package is highly appealing along with the opportunity to play under Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford and guide one of the biggest clubs in world football back to the top of the Premier League.
Pogba left United on a free transfer in 2012, but has since gone on to develop into one of the top midfielders in Europe in Turin and has collected numerous pieces of silverware including four consecutive Serie A titles.
Nevertheless, that won’t be enough to avoid eyebrows being raised over the figures involved in his deal to potentially return to United, with Juve seemingly doing everything they can to get the best offer possible.
As noted by The Guardian, the Serie A champions are set to buy Higuain from Juventus by meeting his €94.7m release clause, and coupled with their signing of Miralem Pjanic earlier this summer, they will feel as though they are well placed to cope without Pogba.