Manchester City prepare world record bid to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus

Manchester City are preparing a world record bid in excess of the reported £86m ($133m) paid by Real Madrid to Tottenham last season for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, according to Goal.

Pogba has been heavily linked with a move back to the Premier League, with Manchester United and Chelsea keenly keeping tabs on his situation. The 22-year-old left United on a free transfer in 2012 after a dispute with Sir Alex Ferguson and has grown into one of the best players in Italy.

City, who have some leeway after the Financial Fair Play rules were relaxed this season, are reported to be interested in breaking the world record fee paid for Gareth Bale by Real Madrid and the British transfer record comfortably by bringing the player to the Etihad.

Pogba would replace the ageing Yaya Toure, who has not had much of an influence in the recently concluded season and add more tenacity and bite in midfield which they have sorely missed in the event of Toure's indifferent form.

Paris Saint-Germain, who have similar spending power are believed to be interested, but the player is reportedly not too keen on going back to his native country, which will boost City in their attempt to prise the player back to the Premier League.

The midfielder played an important role in taking Juventus to the finals of the Champions League and City will be hoping that he can show similar attributes on his transfer to the Etihad.

The Cityzens are yet to make their way out of the round of 16 stage since being taken over by the Qatari conglomerate.

Meanwhile, Barcelona remain favourites for his signature, but the transfer ban imposed on them has given City the advantage with this regard, who will have to complete the deal as soon as possible to fend off interest from the Catalans when the ban is lifted next January.