Pogba demands £500,000-per-week from United amid Real Madrid interest

Manchester United are ready to begin talks over a new deal with Paul Pogba, but the star midfielder is demanding an astronomical £500,000-per-week.

With Real Madrid circling for the World Cup winner, United are desperate to lock down the Frenchman with a new long term contract.

And he wants to become the club’s highest paid player, matching Alexis Sanchez on half a million every week, according to the Sun.

Compatriot Zinedine Zidane has publicly spoken of his admiration for Pogba, fanning the flames of recent speculation over a move to the Bernabeu.

The 26-year-old has looked a player transformed under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and United are desperate to keep him.

There are two years left on Pogba’s contract, but the club can extend that deal by an additional season.

It is understood that United are willing to offer a three-year extension with improved terms that would keep him at Old Trafford until 2024.

With super agent Mino Raiola holding forth in negotiations, there is no doubt United will be driven to a hard bargain.

Pogba earns £300,000-per-week on his existing terms and the importance of keeping their leader is of increased significance given the expected exits this summer.

Solskjaer will clear out a number of players on the fringes of his first team with Sanchez, Ander Herrera and Juan Mata thought to be heading for the door.

So Pogba appears to hold the aces when talks begin and United will know that losing the powerful midfielder to Real would send entirely the wrong message.