By Chris Wheeler for MailOnline
Published: 17:37 BST, 17 June 2019 | Updated: 17:40 BST, 17 June 2019
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Manchester United are braced for a dirty tricks campaign by Real Madrid to try and prise Paul Pogba away from Old Trafford this summer.
United could detect Real's fingerprints – and those of Pogba's agent Mino Raiola – on the player's admission at the weekend that 'it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else'.
The club have experienced Madrid's attempts to unsettle their stars before when Cristiano Ronaldo moved to the Bernabeu in 2009, and more recently in the failed pursuit of David de Gea.
Manchester United are braced for Real Madrid's dirty tricks to try and prise away Paul Pogba
United's stance is that Pogba will stay and play for them next season even if their record £89million signing agitates for a move.
In reality, that stance could change if Pogba demands to go and Madrid table a bid in excess of £150m.
The Spaniards are believed to have made an opening offer of £90m but know that it will take considerably more than that to test United's resolve.
They are ready to step up their efforts to sign Pogba, and the midfielder's comments while on a promotional tour to Japan are seen as a clear escalation in what may now develop into the transfer saga of the summer.
The 26-year-old was desperate to join Barcelona a year ago but did not go so far as expressing his feelings in public.
Pogba
