Man Utd expected to tie up Pogba deal by Wednesday

Manchester United are expected to complete the world record signing of Paul Pogba from Juventus on Wednesday this week, according to reports in Italy.

Calciomercato claims that, barring any hiccups, Paul Pogba will become a Manchester United player by Wednesday this week, in a world record breaking €120 million deal.

United executive vice chairman Ed Woodward was locked in negotiations with Juventus last week, in an attempt to hash out a deal with the Turin club that would see Pogba return to United after leaving in 2012.

It is believed that, via his agent Mino Raiola, Pogba has agreed terms on a return to Old Trafford, and will earn €13 million per year.

Juventus have launched a move to sign Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuaín, and they are prepared to pay the 28-year-old's mammoth €94 million release clause.

Higuaín is rumoured to have already undergone a medical in Madrid at Juve's request, with a €7.5 million a year contract agreed.

The fact that Juventus are ready to make such an enormous purchase -- Higuaín would become the second most expensive player in history, behind only Gareth Bale's 2013 switch from Tottenham Hotspur to Real Madrid. -- has led to speculation that a deal for Pogba must be close.

However, one potential spanner in the works for United, is that after Madrid lost out on the signing of André Gomes to Barcelona, the European champions could re-enter the race to sign Pogba.