"?Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly 'desperate' to see Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba return to Old Trafford this summer and could now use Matteo Darmian as part-exchange to help make an offer attractive to the Italian champions.
Reports in Italy earlier in the week had linked Darmian with a return home and now the Sun claims that he is about to be the makeweight United use in their latest ambitious efforts to land Pogba.
It is said that United have already had one £60m bid for Pogba rejected, while Juve's apparent interest in Darmian, who spent four years with cross-town rivals Torino, and an even bigger cash pot might be enough to get the deal done.
The 26-year-old defender endured a mixed first season at Old Trafford after joining for £12m. He started with plenty of promise but a number of frustrating and unfortunate isolated injuries, including bruised ribs and a dislocated shoulder, appeared to hamper his adaptation.
It was hoped that Darmian would come back fitter and stronger in his second season, although it now looks increasingly likely that he'll be on the move.
A good display at Euro 2016 to match his fine showing at the last World Cup will be important, especially if United are to recoup as much of their initial investment as possible.
Signing Pogba would certainly address a longstanding need in the centre of midfield for United and would be a huge statement to demonstrate the pull of Mourinho in his very first transfer window - without the attraction of Champions League football.
The 23-year-old famously joined United's academy ranks from Le Havre in 2009 and then went on to win the FA Youth Cup two years later as a team-mate of Jesse Lingard, Will Keane and Ravel Morrison.
However, he left for Juventus upon the expiration of his contract in 2012 after a lack of first-team chances materialised. In Italy, Pogba was soon a star and has gone on to establish himself as one of the best players in the world.
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