Paul Pogba has landed in England ahead of his world record £110million move from Juventus to former club Manchester United.
The France midfielder’s return to Old Trafford has been the transfer story of the summer but is nearing completion with Pogba driven to United’s Aon Training Complex in a Chevrolet Camaro on Monday afternoon to undertake his medical after landing on a flight from Nice via New York. He was joined in the car by one of United’s security staff.
Pogba is moving back to United – the club he left for just £800,000 in compensation in 2012 – for a new world record fee. United’s training base includes facilities where Pogba’s medical will be undertaken. He is expected to sign a five-year contract worth £290,000 a week once that is completed.
United confirmed on Sunday that Juventus had given permission for Pogba to take a medical with them ahead of a deal which Sportsmail understands will go beyond the £100m mark with add-ons and agents’ fees taken into account.
It means Pogba will become the world’s most expensive footballer, his move to United taking him past the estimated £85million Real Madrid paid Tottenham for Wales superstar Gareth Bale in 2013.
Pogba’s medical is expected to be a formality, with United expecting to make the signing official on either Tuesday or Wednesday.
The box to box midfielder, still just 23, landed at Manchester Airport on Monday morning after jetting in from New York where he has been on holiday.
The Twitter account for Manchester Airport gave a clue as to his arrival by posting a picture of a private plan landing, with the caption ‘an important passenger has just touched down at the airport. Can anyone guess who it might be?
Pogba left United for Juventus in 2012 having made just seven senior appearances in all competitions for the Premier League club, all from the bench.
He went on to help Juventus win to four Serie A titles, two Coppa Italias and the 2014-15 Champions League final. He was also part of the France side which finished runners up at Euro 2016.
Opening up on the signing of Pogba after Sunday’s Community Shield victory over Leicester, United boss Jose Mourinho said: ‘United is the perfect club to bring him to the level he wants to be.’
Mourinho added: “The Premier League is the perfect habitat for that. If you want to be the best player in the world, if you go to Barcelona or Real Madrid you are in trouble because I don’t think the other two big guys (Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo) will let you.
“Here he is in the most seen, worldwide, championship which is absolutely incredible, with a team which wants to bring Manchester United to the top again. We have everything to give him and we know the reasons why he wants to come to us.
“Money he would get at any big club. He comes because he knows the club, knows the city, many of the players and wants to be an important part of the project.
“Hopefully everything goes well.”
Pogba had given a clue he was heading to Manchester on Sunday night, posting a picture to Instagram with the caption: “Bye New York.”
The player has been on holiday in America enjoying an extended break after helping France to the final of Euro 2016.
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