Paul Pogba 'will leave Manchester United this summer if he doesn't sign a new contract' as Red Devils 'prepare to offer Frenchman a £400,000-a-week deal to convince him to stay' with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer optimistic of tying him down
* Paul Pogba is more happy at Man United than ever before since his £89m move
* The France star's deal at the club runs out in 2022 with Real Madrid interested
* The Mirror claim United will open talks over a £400,000-a-week deal this month
* But they would also be prepared to sell if he fails to commit his long-term future
Manchester United are prepared to sell star midfielder Paul Pogba this summer should he fail to sign a new mega-deal at the club, according to reports.
Pogba is happier than at any time since a world-record £89million move to rejoin the club from Juventus in 2016 and was outstanding in United's 6-2 win against Roma in last week's Europa League semi-final first leg.
The Frenchman's current United contract runs out next year amid protracted speculation linking him with a move to Real Madrid.
Manchester United are prepared to sell Paul Pogba if he does not agree a new deal. Pogba has been in stunning form and reports suggest United will open talks on a new £400,000-a-week deal. But they would be prepared to sell him too, especially if Mino Raiola's demands are too high
The Mirror however claim United will open talks with the 28-year-old regarding a fresh £400,000-a-week deal later this month, which would see him overtake David De Gea as the highest-paid player at the club.
But the same outlet and The Sun claim that should the France international refuse to commit his long-term future to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's men, the club will not hesitate to move him on, especially if super agent Mino Raiola's demands become too taxing.
To help finance a move, both reports add United are planning to sell Spain goalkeeper De Gea - who currently earns £350,000 per week - to fund his current French team-mate's new deal, with Dean Henderson then becoming the undisputed No 1.
But United are aware that they are in a race against time to convince Pogba to stay and are keen for progress to be made on negotiations before he represents world champions France at the European Championships this summer.
Pogba has also been linked with a move to former club Juventus, and the list of high-profile suitors has made United reportedly desperate for talks with Raiola, as they are keen to avoid a repeat of nine years ago, when they lost him to the Italian giants on a free transfer.
The reports add while Old Trafford chiefs will not bow to whatever Raiola demands, they are aware their position will be weaker if the situation is not resolved by the start of the Euros, with his valuation dropping by the month in their bid to recoup the £89m fee they paid to re-sign him.
And with both Juventus and Real Madrid in financial turmoil amid the coronavirus pandemic, that appears unlikely, albeit that United's preference is to see Pogba commit the prime years of his career to the Old Trafford side.
Pogba would overtake David De Gea if he signs the new deal as United's best paid player. United could look to Declan Rice or Wilfried Ndidi if Pogba does depart. United boss Solskjaer however believes the club are winning the battle to convince Pogba
United have reportedly begun searching the market potential replacements for Pogba with Declan Rice, Wilfred Ndidi and Saul Niguez all featuring on the list.
But the longer the situation with Pogba remains unresolved, the longer they cannot put their plans to sign a possible replacement in the form of the West Ham, Leicester or Atletico Madrid star into action if the World Cup winner does decide to depart.
United boss Solskjaer however believes the club are winning the battle to convince Pogba to commit his future to the club, having already triggered a 12-month extension clause in his deal at the start of the season.
'If we can play like we did against Roma and go again against Liverpool and they can feel our progress this season, our chances are bigger to keep Paul and Edi (Edinson Cavani),' said Solskjaer, whose second-place side face Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool on Sunday, 13 points ahead of the reigning champions.
'You know of course I have worked with Paul for a few years. I had him when he was a reserve player as well and he knows my feelings about him that I want him to stay. It's about creating a competitive environment than we can all thrive in, a competitive team challenging for trophies.
'I have always said with Paul that I enjoy managing him, talking to him and challenging him because he is a winner. He wants to be better and that's why he listens.
'You can see he's enjoying himself here as well. He has a smile on his face. I try to treat everyone with the same amount of respect but there are some players you have known since they were young lads and that's the case with Paul. The longer you have known them the easier it is to have a bond with them.'
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