The 23-year-old French midfielder Paul Pogba is likely to complete his prolonged switch from Juventus to Manchester United once he returns from a three-week holiday in the US. United are understood to have already settled the personal terms with his agent Mino Raiola, and are set to pay a world record fee to secure Pogba’s return to Old Trafford.

Manchester United’s executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward declared two years ago that his club “can do things in the transfer market that other clubs can only dream of”, he probably had someone like the French star on top of his mind. And looking at how close United are to signing him, beating other giant clubs, Pogba’s transfer is one that could only be made by United.

Paul Pogba is expected to return to Old Trafford this summer as the most expensive footballer of all time, surpassing the record set by Gareth Bale. £100 million million will be the fee, making a real declaration about the ambitions United have had in recent years. This, along with Mourinho’s appointment as the new manager, underlines that Manchester United is still a club that deals big-time.

Pogba’s controversial transfer fee in context doesn’t seem quite so careless. Pogba’s transfer fee follows a steady path. When Sir Alex signed Juan Sebastian Veron for £28 million in 2001, United recorded turnover of only £129 million. Which meant the transfer of the Argentine midfielder claimed a roughly 21 percent portion of United’s turnover at that time. Comparing that to the club’s current turnover of £510 million and Pogba’s move – roughly 19 percent of turnover, it doesn’t look so much.

But there are ways to get that massive amount of money back.

1. Ibrahimovic’s Jersey Sale-

Manchester United could nearly pay for Paul Pogba with Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s shirt sales. Revenue from sales of his replica red jersey T-shirt have gone past the £76 million mark in just a week and in a fortnight could pay for United’s most first choice target Paul Pogba. Even if a certain amount is shared by the sponsored brand Adidas, the club can still make enough in a month or two.

2. Selling some unwanted players-

Players like Marcos Rojo, Adnan Januzaj, Marouane Fellaini and a few others seem more likely to be benched for most of the season if they stay at the club. It’ll be better for both club and the players if Mourinho sells them. The club will get a significant amount by selling even 2-3 players to compensate greatly for the fee which is going to be spent on Pogba.

3. Pogba’s Jersey Sales-

How can one not think of this side of the story before criticizing? If Pogba is indeed, going to make the move to Old Trafford, he will be considered just as good of a signing as Ibra, and will generate huge revenue with sales of his replica United shirts. His stardom will profit the club massively and allow them to compensate the £100 million.