It is only the middle of June, the Premier League fixtures have just been announced, but already it appears Paul Pogba's possible move to Real Madrid could well be the transfer story of the summer.
Sportsmail reported on Tuesday that Manchester United are prepared to offer Pogba a new deal worth £500,000 a week to keep him at the club.
But his comments at the weekend about wanting a 'new challenge' would have caught the attention of those at Real Madrid who want him at Santiago Bernabeu.
Here, Sportsmail assesses the main players behind this summer's most exciting transfer story.
Paul Pogba's future at Manchester United is uncertain with Real Madrid wanting to sign him
Paul Pogba
Where do you begin? A player who is highly regarded but with a personality that is very divisive. His comments at the weekend gave you an insight into how prepared he is to push through something he feels has to happen.
Pogba, in Asia with sponsors adidas, said: 'After everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well... I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge somewhere else.
'I am thinking of this: to have a new challenge somewhere else.'
Pogba signalled his intention to leave the club in search of 'something new' at the weekend
Those comments, unsurprisingly, didn't go down well back at Old Trafford. 'It is safe to say that they [United] are distinctly unimpressed with it, but as far as they're concerned Pogba will be at the club next season,' a source told Sportsmail.
With two years remaining on a £290,000-a-week deal at United, you would assume that the power lies with United. But by being prepared to offer him £210,000 more, they are admitting defeat, trying to protect an asset.
Pogba, meanwhile, can choose to play this as he feels. Should he badly want a move to Real Madrid then it would be a shock to see him in United's opening Premier League fixture against Chelsea on August 11. Ultimately, it is up to him.
Mino Raiola
Once described by Sir Alex Ferguson as a 't**t', Raiola has become one of the most influential people in football. Pogba is arguably his most valuable asset and Raiola knows exactly the sort of revenue streams the 26-year-old can open up for clubs.
His relationship with Pogba is also very close. In 2016, Raiola was asked about his closeness with Pogba. 'I don't see him as a client at all,' Raiola said. 'In fact, I dare to say, family.'
Pogba trusts Raiola and values his opinion. He also values his ability to get a deal done. Indeed, Raiola is now free once again to broker transfers in Italy and beyond after FIFA lifted a worldwide suspension last week.
Mino Raiola is the man behind Paul Pogba and his influence will be key this summer
The Italian Football Federation (FIGC) hit Raiola with a three-month suspension from practising as an agent back in April and that was followed up with an international ban from FIFA.
It has given the green light for Raiola to press on with transfers. No doubt Pogba would have been advised by Raiola before he made his comments about a 'new challenge' at the weekend. Raiola doesn't tend to wait long when there is a chance of getting a deal over the line though his fee [and Pogba's] will
