Manchester United transfer rumour: Jose Mourinho identifies PSG midfielder Blaise Matuidi as Paul Pogba alternative
KEY POINTS
- Paul Pogba and Blaise Matuidi are managed by Mino Raiola.
- Jose Mourinho has made Juventus midfielder as priority midfield target.
- Manchester United have completed three signings this summer.
Manchester United have identified Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Blaise Matuidi as an alternative to Paul Pogba. The Juventus star has been a priority target for Jose Mourinho and the Portuguese tactician is keen on bringing him to Old Trafford this summer.
According to the Manchester Evening News, the 20-time English champions remain confident they can agree a fee with Juventus in securing the services of their former player. Pogba left United and joined Juventus in 2012, where he has developed into one of the best midfielders in Europe.
The former Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager has already strengthened his attack by signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. Mourinho has now turned his attention to landing Pogba to bolster United's central midfield for the next season.
United's last two signings, Ibrahimovic and Mkhitaryan, are managed by Mino Raiola, and Pogba and his compatriot Matuidi are also represented by the same agent. Raiola has assured the Red Devils that he will do his best to convince the Serie A star to join the Premier League giants.
According to Sky Sports, United have tabled a £100m ($129.5m) offer for the France midfielder. The Old Trafford club are looking to help Mourinho in landing the Juventus star midfielder, who is his priority midfield target this summer.
Both Pogba and Matuidi are part of the France squad at the ongoing Euro 2016. Didier Deschamps' side beat Germany 2-0 in the second semi-final to seal a berth in the final, where they will face Portugal. Raiola will hold talks with Pogba after the European championship as he looks to convince his client to re-join United this summer.
Should the Juventus midfielder snub a chance to return to Old Trafford, Mourinho and United will then turn their attention to Matuidi. The 29-year-old midfielder has two years left on his contract at Parc des Princes and the Ligue 1 winners have replaced their manager Laurent Blanc with Unai Emery.
The former Sevilla manager has already completed the signings of Grzegorz Krychowiak and Hatem Ben Arfa.
With the addition of these two midfielders, Matuidi will have to fight with Krychowiak, the former Newcastle United man, Marco Verratti, Thiago Motta and Adrien Rabiot for a place in the starting lineup. Matuidi could be looking for an exit this summer and United could make an approach, only if they fail to land Pogba.
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