Chelsea Launch £60m Bid for France and Juventus Star Paul Pogba

Chelsea are preparing to make a mammoth £60m bid in signing Paul Pogba from Juventus during the summer transfer window, according to Goal.com

The former Manchester United starlet was linked with a return to Old Trafford as incoming manager Louis van Gaal sought the midfielder courtesy of his impressive performances with the Italian giants.

The report suggests that the west London club are drawing up a lucrative salary package to lure the 21-year-old to Stamford Bridge. He left the Red Devils two years ago and his rise to prominence has even attracted interest from Real Madrid.

The Blues manager Jose Mourinho already has his first summer acquisition with Cesc Fabregas from Barcelona. The Portuguese tactician has outlined an attacking midfield role for the former Arsenal star and wants the French international to control the game from a holding role alongside their January signing Nemanja Matic.

Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is said to be ready for sanctioning a hefty package to make Pogba the club's top earner ahead of Eden Hazard, Fernando Torres and John Terry, who are reportedly earning £180,000-a-week.

Juventus are believed not to be keen on allowing their highly rated prodigy to depart this summer but will be swayed into doing business if any potential suitors match their valuation of over £60m.

Goal.com also claims that Chelsea have made discreet enquires and are of the opinion that Pogba is keen on returning to the Premier League.

Pogba has been a regular feature in Antonio Conte's side as they successfully defended their Serie A title last season. He made 36 appearances in the league scoring seven and contributing an equal number of assists.

Currently on World Cup duty in Brazil, Pogba has one assist in the tournament so far and is expected to start in the round-of-16 clash against Nigeria at Estadio Nacional de Brasilia, Brasilia, on Monday.

The Golden Ball winner at the 2013 U-20 World Cup, has two more years left on his current contract. Last month Juventus' general manager Giuseppe Marotta already expressed his club's intentions to retain Pogba.

"We intend to extend Pogba's contract and we have already spoken with his agent. Paul is a smart guy and this is the perfect place for him to improve further. You cannot imagine him leaving Juventus," Goal.com quoted Marotta as saying.

But any offer from the club's hierarchy must exceed whatever Chelsea are willing to offer.

A successful deal with Juventus will see the Blues smash their previous record transfer fee
of £50m paid to Liverpool for Torres.