Paul Pogba to Manchester United: Juventus midfielder edging closer towards Old Trafford return

Manchester United are close to completing a deal in bringing Paul Pogba back to Old Trafford this summer. The 23-year-old left the Red Devils as a free agent and joined Juventus in 2012.

Since joining the Old Lady, the France international has established into a promising midfielder, which has seen him attract interest from Jose Mourinho's side and also Real Madrid. The Premier League giant's first bid of £87m ($115.4m) was turned down by the Turin club on 19 July.

According to The Guardian, United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, Juventus directors Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici, along with Pogba's agent Mino Raiola met on Wednesday. The Italian champions were asking for a world-record fee of £100m ($132.5) in letting their prized asset leave the club in the current transfer window.

However, Juventus will settle for a fee of £92m ($121.8m) only if the 20-time English champions pay Raiola's fees. It will still be the world-record fee, beating the earlier record of £85.3m ($112.8m) that Real paid to Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale.

As part of the deal, the France international's agent must be paid 20% of the transfer fee. The Red Devils have agreed to pay half of Raiola's fees, but the Serie A outfit wants United to pay Raiola's fee of £18.4m ($24.3m), if the deal has to be finalised.

It was reported that the Champions League winners were looking to hijack United's move for Pogba. However, United and Raiola remain confident that Pogba will join them this summer.

United will buy Pogba's image rights and this will take the France international's wages to £290,000-a-week ($383,558 per week). The image rights will see the midfielder earn an additional £4.2m per year.

Jose Mourinho publicly expressed his desire to complete four specialist signings. With Pogba's imminent arrival, the Portuguese tactician will manage to finish the majority of his business, having already signed Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Frenchman will become the former Chelsea manager's fourth signing at Old Trafford.