Real Madrid on alert as Manchester United 'open talks to sign Paul Pogba'

Manchester United have opened talks with Mino Raiola to beat Real Madrid for the signature of Paul Pogba, according to AS. The Spanish publication suggests that the good relationship between Old Trafford officials and the super-agent could help them, as Jose Mourinho's side are also after his clients Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has reportedly earmarked the signing of his fellow Frenchman as a priority to boost his Champions League-winning squad.

However, AS claims that Real Madrid club president Florentino Perez is not convinced of the deal's merits, due to Juventus's high demands for Pogba's fee and the player's indifferent performances in the ongoing European Championship.

Los Blancos would need to break the world-record fee that saw them sign Gareth Bale from Tottenham Hotspur to recruit Pogba, as the Serie A giants are demanding at least €120m (£99.3m, $133m) for his services.

AS adds that United are looking to take advantage of Real Madrid's doubts, and have already opened negotiations with Raiola in order to clinch a deal.

Manchester United's excellent relationship with Raiola could be a big help to the Old Trafford side, as Pogba's agent is also in advanced negotiations to bring Ibrahimovic and Borussia Dortmund star Mkhitaryan to Jose Mourinho's squad ahead of the 2016-2017 campaign.

Sky Sports recently reported that Ibrahimovic will undergo a medical at Manchester United next week before signing a one-year-deal to reunite with Mourinho, who previously managed him at Inter Milan.

Meanwhile, The Mirror reported that Mourinho is also confident of securing Mkhitaryan in the coming days, in a deal worth around £26m.