Manchester United: Pogba bid imminent; City approach target; four players can leave

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Manchester United’s pursuit of Juventus midfielder looks to be heading towards a crucial stage as the club prepare to offer the Italian side a world record bid of £86 million, with add-ons for goals and appearances.

The saga has been a very slow burner, mainly thanks to Euro 2016, and the transfer is unlikely to be completed before Pogba returns from his holiday and Manchester United finish their brief tour of China. However, with an official bid on the horizon, the 23-year-old Frenchman may be just a couple of weeks from returning to the club which he left on a free transfer four years ago.

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Although the initial fee is huge in itself, it is likely that the transfer will end up costing the Red Devils in excess of £100 million – a frankly preposterous lay out for a player who has great potential but has yet to establish himself fully as one of the continent’s top midfielders.

But the fact remains though that money is not an object to Manchester United, and despite the world record transfer fee an £300,000 a week wages that have been mooted, he would improve the side enough to enable them to challenge for the top four again.

Elsewhere, United may face some difficulties in securing another transfer after rivals Manchester City made an official approach for West Ham United midfielder Reece Oxford.

Oxford, who is currently playing for the England under-19s in the European Championships in Germany, made  a big impression last season for the Irons, playing 12 times and starring on his professional debut in a 2-0 win against Arsenal on the opening day of the season.

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West Ham have already turned down a £10 million bid from RB Leipzig for Oxford, and it is also reported that Newcastle have made an offer to take the 17-year-old on loan. This means, alongside Man City’s interest, that United face a real battle if they are to secure the services of one of England’s most promising teenagers.

Priced at £15 million by his club, Oxford is certainly a pricy investment, but if Manchester United are to preserve their reputation of developing young talent, they will need to battle hard to see off the challenge of their neighbours.

Finally, it appears that Jose Mourinho is still keen to trim the squad, with Juan Mata, Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind and Morgan Schneiderlin deemed surplus to requirements. Mourinho has sold Mata once before, but he remains an excellent creative force going forward, and his clever passing and movement would complement both the power of Zlatan Ibrahimovic or the raw pace of Marcus Rashford and Antony Martial.

Blind and Schneiderlin would also be worth keeping in the squad. Blind was one of United’s best performers last season, and his ability to play in both the centre and on the left side of defence, as well as in central midfield, makes him a very useful utility man to have in the squad. In the event an injury crisis Mourinho may regret letting him go.

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Schneiderlin is also a player who deserves the chance to remain at Old Trafford. If Pogba does indeed arrive from Juventus, he will need a disciplined partner to break up the play to allow him the freedom to get forward. Schneiderlin would be perfect for this role, and would be worth keeping at the club.

As for Rojo, though, his time is certainly up in England. After two disappointing seasons where he neither proved himself to be a central defender or a left back, he is unlikely to see much game time under Mourinho in the coming season. A move to Spain would be best for everyone.

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