MANCHESTER UNITED are in an £80million dogfight with Real Madrid for France star Paul Pogba.
SunSport can reveal United are the first club to meet Juventus’ valuation of the midfield star, who has yet to hit top form at the Euros.
They have increased their initial bid of £60m by another £20m and are in pole position to land the 23-year-old.
However, the French international has reservations about returning to the club he left in acrimonious fashion four years ago.
New boss Jose Mourinho has spoken directly to Pogba to outline his vision of United with him as the fulcrum of the midfield.
Pogba was impressed by Mourinho’s ambition but wants to see if Real are also prepared to make an offer.
His agent, Mino Raiola, has met with officials of both clubs but Spanish giants Real have yet to make a bid to Juventus.
Barcelona have ruled themselves out of the auction as they are focusing their spending on new deals for Neymar and Lionel Messi.