Juventus manager Massimiliano Allegri has told the press that negotiations are ongoing over a transfer for Paul Pogba, with Manchester United believed to be the other club involved.
The Frenchman is expected to cost somewhere arounda world-record £100m if he moves this summer, with United the only club willing and able to pony up the cash after Real Madrid pulled out of the race.
If you're awake, Juventus manager Allegri has some good news #mufc https://t.co/v5thgQuO3y
Speaking to the press during the club's pre-season tour of Australia, Allegri said: "Pogba is a Juventus player at the moment but we don't know what is going to happen. The club are looking after negotiations."
He also admitted that the arrival of Marko Pjaca served - at least in part - to strengthen the team if Pogba departs, saying of the club's £20m signing:"He is another quality addition so whatever happens with Pogba, we will be in good shape."
United manager Jose Mourinho teased talk of the potential move for Pogba when talking to the press on Friday, saying:"Then, the market will be open until the 31st of August, and sometimes things happen that you are not expecting, and we have to react.
Paul Pogba explains smoking row to his fuming agent on holiday in Miami https://t.co/dlLvPpFWBH pic.twitter.com/kC8Zc4o5cF
"But our fundamental market is 75 percent done. And when we sign one midfield player that crucial work will be done."
United were thrashed 4-1 by Borussia Dortmund in China on Friday, but Mourinho responded without undue alarm, saying:"I know that in preseason the team that is in advanced stage of the preparation looks better than the other team.It happens year after year, some good teams to lose in big results, but I think it was too obvious. It was too obvious.
"If we don't know, after 10 minutes we know that one team started training 10 days ago and played one match and one team started one month ago and played already four. So easy to see that -- the difference in intensity and sharpness. So for us it was very difficult."
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