Manchester United have confirmed on their official website that they have concluded a deal to sign midfielder Paul Pogba from Juventus in a world-record deal.
The France international left Old Trafford on a free transfer four years ago after becoming disillusioned with a lack of playing time with the Premier League club.
In four years with the Turin giants, Pogba has been transformed into a world-class central midfielder and won four Serie A titles with the Bianconeri.
The Guardian claim that United have paid a €110 million (£93.2m) fee to bring the star back to England, which eclipses the €100m (£85.3m) that Real Madrid splurged on Gareth Bale in 2013.
Pogba has admitted that he is glad to return to United after signing a five-year contract.
“I am delighted to rejoin United,” he said.
“It has always been a club with a special place in my heart and I am really looking forward to working with Jose Mourinho.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at Juventus and have some fantastic memories of a great club with players that I count as friends.
“But I feel the time is right to go back to Old Trafford. I always enjoyed playing in front of the fans and can’t wait to make my contribution to the team.
“This is the right club for me to achieve everything I hope to in the game.”
Thanks @juventusfc and all Juventini. Goodbye means nothing, it is the time we spent together that matters ?❤
— Paul Pogba (@paulpogba) August 8, 2016
Jose Mourinho has spent big since being named as United manager earlier this summer and is delighted to have landed Pogba as his fourth Red Devils signing.
“Paul is one of the best players in the world and will be a key part of the United team I want to build here for the future,” the Portuguese said.
“He is quick, strong, scores goals and reads the game better than many players much older than he is.
“At 23, he has the chance to make that position his own here over many years. He is young and will continue to improve; he has the chance to be at the heart of this club for the next decade and beyond.”
United’s central midfield has been an area of perceived weakness since the days of Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, but Pogba’s return confirms the club’s intent to bring back the glory days.
#145
Here all details of Pogba 145m€ paid by Man United.
Juventus cashing 98
Player cashing 24
Agent cashing 22https://t.co/aDuUhV53PK— Tancredi Palmeri (@tancredipalmeri) August 9, 2016
Given the amount of expenditure on new players this summer and Mourinho’s arrival, the club has no excuses for not competing for the Premier League title in 2016-17.
Pogba is believed to have pocketed a €24m (£20.3m) signing-on fee, while agent Mino Raiola is said to have landed a commission of €22m (£18.6m)
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