Paul Pogba ‘wanted by Real Madrid in £70m transfer’ but Solskjaer wants him to form partnership with Bruno Fernandes
MANCHESTER UNITED are reportedly hoping to convince Paul Pogba to shun Real Madrid ahead of the LaLiga giants' £70million opening offer.
A move to Spain is likely to once again be on the cards for the midfielder this summer however any negotiations will come against the backdrop of a highly uncertain transfer market.
A fee as low as £70m has been mooted to open bidding as Real look to finally secure their top target.
The cite the fee amid reports of tumbling figures - far from the £150m United were said to be wanting only a few short months ago.
Pogba's contract runs out in 2021, making this summer theoretically vital in the Red Devils securing a fee for the 27-year-old.
However they do possess a useful 12-month automatic extension that could be triggered by the club, even if it would "anger" the French star.
Last week, it was reported United would do so if a bid of at least £83m did not arrive at the end of the season.
But the Old Trafford side may yet find that making a loss on their record signing, who cost £89m in 2016, is their only sure-fire way of raising funds to spend on costly targets such as Jadon Sancho.
Although central midfield was a big worry for coach Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when Pogba suffered a major ankle injury early in the campaign, Bruno Fernandes' January acquisition has eased those concerns.
Attention may be focused on improving the attack this summer as a result but the report on Pogba still being valued as a main man in Manchester.
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They talk of the midfielder accepting that the north-west will remain his home for the coming season because of the coronavirus-affected market.
And Solskjaer will therefore attempt to forge a creative partnership between Pogba and Fernandes in the middle of the park.
That will allow Scott McTominay to take the bulk of the defensive responsibilities while Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial lead the line.
