Jose Mourinho: Paul Pogba is my number one priority

JOSE MOURINHO has directed Manchester United to prioritize the signing of Paul Pogba in what is likely to involve a Premier League record fee for an incoming transfer. In a highly competitive summer transfer market, Mourinho considers the young France international as the strongest option to restructure United's recently lacklustre midfield around. 

Pogba's power, dynamic playing style and ability to rapidly switch defence to attack are all attractive to United's new manager, who has been working to reform the spine of the Old Trafford first team since his appointment last month. The three seasons Pogba spent with United as a teenager are regarded as an added advantage, having acclimatised the Frenchman to English football and life.

Though Juventus have not formally placed Pogba on the market, the Italian champions have discreetly encouraged offers for the midfielder for over a year now, setting their asking price at a minimum of €80 million. Pogba's agent, Mino Raiola, has conducted a series discussions with all of Europe's leading clubs with the aim of securing his client an annual after-tax salary of €12 m.

While United cannot offer immediate Champions League football to a player they lost to Juve in 2012 for a FIFA-mandated 'training compensation' payment of just €270,000, they are one of a handful of clubs capable of meeting those stratospheric financial terms. Such is the weakness of the squad Mourinho inherited from Louis van Gaal that United's need for Pogba is stronger than rival bidders such as Paris Saint-Germain. And there is no issue with promising the 23-year-old a pivotal role in a restructured team.