All eyes on Pogba as United chase world record swoop

LONDON: Manchester United have stepped up their world record chase for Paul Pogba by reportedly thrashing out a huge financial package with his agent while the Juventus midfielder eagerly awaits developments in sun-kissed Miami.

United manager Jose Mourinho has made Pogba his top transfer target as he bids to make a big impact in his first season at Old Trafford and a record-breaking £100 million ($130 million, 119 million euros) deal looks to have moved closer on Wednesday.

British media reported United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward pulled out of the club’s pre-season tour to China to meet Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola on Wednesday, when the pair negotiated a prospective five-year contract worth £220,000-per-week after tax.

Although United are believed to have had an opening bid of £86 million rejected by Juventus, they are certain to test the Italian champions’ resolve with an improved offer that would easily shatter the previous world record fee of £85 million paid by Real Madrid for Gareth Bale in 2013.

While Pogba’s future is debated by some of football’s leading powerbrokers, the man himself appeared completely unflustered by the hype while on holiday with Everton striker Romelu Lukaku, who is another of Raiola’s clients.

A series of social media posts by the star show Pogba soaking up the sunshine and working out in Miami, where he has also been pictured playing basketball while wearing a jersey of the recently-crowned NBA champion Cleveland Cavaliers.