Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer holds a press conference ahead of their Premier League clash with Leicester
Manchester United have reportedly lined up a £50million replacement for Paul Pogba if he leaves on a free in the summer. Club chiefs are drawing up contingency plans in case the midfielder refuses to sign a new deal and have identified his France compatriot Aurelien Tchouameni as a key target.
Pogba, who joined United in 2017 for a then world-record transfer fee of £89million from Juventus, only has nine months remaining on his deal and is yet to commit his future to the club.
A number of clubs, including PSG, Real Madrid and Juventus are interested in signing Pogba, with ESPN claiming the player's agent Mino Raiola has already offered his services to the European giants.
With fears growing that Pogba could leave, United are looking at options who could potentially replace him.
Tchouameni is one name who has been touted as a potential signing, with even Pogba singing his praises and endorsing a possible transfer to United.
Paul Pogba's Manchester United future is up in the air (Image: GETTY)
However, Chelsea also hold an interest in the 21-year-old and are said to have the edge over United, according to ESPN.
Chelsea are reportedly on good terms with the player's agent Jonathan Kebe, who also represents Sevilla's Jules Kounde - a player the Blues desperately tried to sign in the summer.
Tchouameni, a France international, will demand a fee of between £42m and £50m.
Pogba gave Tchouameni a glowing recommendation in a plea to United bosses recently.
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Pogba and Aurelien Tchouameni celebrate France's Nations League victory (Image: GETTY)
"Very, very good. He’s not a boy, he’s a man," Pogba said of the 21-year-old.
"It’s a pleasure to play next to him. He brings a lot of energy. A lot of energy, extraordinary technical and physical quality.
"We wish him to play a lot more games and that I am always by his side."
United take on Leicester in a crunch Premier League clash which could see the Red Devils temporarily top the Premier League table.