Gonzalo Higuaín is close to joining Juventus in a £79m deal, according to reports in Italy, the move from Napoli a strong indication that the Serie A champions are poised to sell Paul Pogba to Manchester United.
The prolific Argentina striker was reported to have undergone a medical in Madrid and Juventus’s offer would trigger Higuaín’s release clause.
Since Juventus would struggle to meet the break clause without the anticipated £105m they are demanding for Pogba, the imminent transfer indicates that José Mourinho is moving ever closer to his prime transfer target.
Meanwhile, the Uruguayan defender Guillermo Varela is set to join Eintracht Frankfurt on a season-long loan from Manchester United. The Premier League club announced on their website on Saturday morning that they had reached agreement for the player to sign for the Bundesliga club. Varela made his senior United debut in a goalless home draw against West Ham last December and made 10 starts for the first team.
The 23-year-old came on as a substitute in Mourinho’s first game in charge of United - a 2-0 friendly win at Wigan last weekend - but did not travel to China for their pre‑season tour.