Jose Mourinho turned down £30m Juve midfielder to target record Man United signing – report

Jose Mourinho turned down the chance to sign Miralem Pjanic in order to pursue Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, according to Manchester Evening News.

The Red Devils were linked with a move for Roma playmaker Pjanic before the Bosnia-Herzegovina international completed a £30m transfer to the Serie A champions last week.

United have been heavily linked with a move for France midfielder Pogba since Mourinho took over the reins at Old Trafford earlier this month following Louis van Gaal’s sacking.

According to Manchester Evening News, Mourinho vetoed a move for Pjanic and allowed Juventus to secure the signing of the Bosnian in order to pursue former United midfielder Pogba.

The new Red Devils manager has already signed Eric Bailly in a £30m deal from Villarreal this summer as Mourinho looks to bolster his squad following their fifth-placed finish last term.

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Pogba swapped United for Juventus in 2012 under Sir Alex Ferguson after failing to secure regular first-team football at Old Trafford.