Manchester United could face severe competition to sign Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba after Real Madrid head coach Zidedine Zidane claimed that ‘anything can happen until 31 August’ in the transfer saga to sign the Frenchman.

The Premier League giants are reportedly close to seal Pogba’s return to Old Trafford this summer despite having an initial £86 million bid rejected from Juventus.

The 23-year-old is thought to have agreed personal terms with Man Utd, but the tension over which club will pay his agent Mino Raiola’s fees in this blockbuster transfer is reportedly stalling the move.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, were considered as favorites to acquire Pogba’s services until the conclusion of European competition but according to several sources, the 2016 Champions League winners ended their pursuit to sign the midfielder after coming to terms that they can not outbid Man Utd’s financial strength in the transfer market.

But Los Blancos boss Zidedine Zidane, who is currently with the Real Madrid squad in the United States for the club’s pre-season tour, has refused to rule out the possibility of making a last gasp attempt to sign the France International.

Zidane said: “I don’t know if he will come. Until 31 August anything can happen. Everyone is interested in Pogba.

“He is a great footballer and when you are Madrid you always want the best. But now he is not a Real Madrid player, he is a Juventus player. I can’t say anything more.”

Meanwhile, Portuguese midfielder Andre Gomes, who appeared all set to join Real Madrid last week, was later snapped up by fierce rivals Barcelona after a particularly late €50 million bid, growing speculations that the Bernabeu outfit could be extremely determined to sign Paul Pogba.

Whether Pogba’s returns to Man Utd or moves to the Spanish capital to turn a ‘Galactico’, Juventus have made it clear that the midfielder’s departure from Italy this summer will certainly eclipse the world record transfer fee, currently held by Gareth Bale’s £90 million move from Tottenham to Real Madrid in 2013.