Manchester United are close to finalising a deal to buy Paul Pogba from Juventus in a deal worth £92m but will have to pay the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, up to £18.4m to conclude the deal.
United made a second offer on Wednesday, their first offer of £87m plus add-ons having been rejected on Tuesday during a meeting with Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Juventus directors Giuseppe Marotta and Fabio Paratici as well as the player’s agent, Mino Raiola.
The deal now hinges on Juventus’ demand that United pay the whole fee to Raiola, believed to be around 20%, a staggering £18.4m. United had already agreed to pay their half of the agent’s fee but Juve are now saying that if the deal is to be concluded United must pay the whole fee.
Juventus had originally said that they would only let the player go for £100m but will now accept £92m if United pay Raiola’s fee. United have also agreed to buy Pogba’s commercial rights and pay him an extra £4.2m a season, taking his earnings to £290,000 a week.
There were reports on Wednesday night that Real Madrid had been in contact with Juventus in order to try to hijack the deal but United and Raiola are confident that the player will sign for the Premier League club.
More to follow...