Tuesday 12 May 2015 09:37, UK
Manchester City have held talks with highly rated Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, Sky Sports Italia understands.
City’s representatives travelled to Turin to speak to the France international over a potential transfer to the Etihad Stadium.
However, dethroned Premier League champions City face stiff competition as the 22-year-old has also been linked with Paris St Germain, Barcelona, Real Madrid and former club Manchester United.
United signed Pogba from Le Havre in 2009 in a move which enraged the French club but he made only three league appearances from the bench before rejecting a new contract and joining Juventus on a free transfer in July 2012.
Whatever the future is for him I don't see it being Manchester United.
The Italian champions are keen to keep Pogba, who is under contract until June 2019, and have slapped a price tag of a minimum of 100m euros on their prized possession.
City are believed to be the first club to visit northern Italy in their bid to sign Pogba and any deal is likely to involve other players as makeweights.
PSG are reportedly willing to meet Juve’s valuation of the player but the figure is understood to have seen Real Madrid cool their interest.
Barca are currently restrained by a transfer ban imposed by FIFA for 2015, while Juventus team-mate Andrea Pirlo has dismissed the chances of Pogba returning to Old Trafford.
“He seems very happy at Juventus," said Pirlo. "I know he is focused on finishing the season with a lot of success. Whatever the future is for him I don't see it being Manchester United.
“He didn't feel he was treated well there. I know that was under Sir Alex Ferguson and now there is a new coach, but I do not seeing him returning to a club where he was not treated well.”
Pogba, meanwhile, is focused on facing Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-final second leg at the Bernabau on Wednesday night.
The in-demand midfielder returned from 52 days on the sidelines with a torn thigh muscle at the weekend and marked his comeback with a goal against Cagliari.
"Ready for Madrid? I'm always ready," said Pogba. "We know it's going to be really difficult. They're playing at home as well so it's going to be even harder for us but we want to win and we'll do everything we can to win this match."
Watch the Champions League semi-final second leg between Real and Juventus live this Wedesday, live on Sky Sports 1 from 19:00
