JUVENTUS are waiting to pounce for Paul Pogba as his relationship with Manchester United edges closer to breaking down.
The Italian giants are said to be monitoring the situation between their former player and United as his ankle injury continues to rule him out of action.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had hoped to have the 26-year-old back available to him following two months on the sidelines.
But after appearing in two matches over the festive period he has now complained of new discomfort in his foot which Solskjaer says may need surgery.
The latest development came just days after agent Mino Raiola took a swipe at United by claiming the club was so badly run they would ruin the careers of players like Pele and Maradona.
Italian publication Calciomercato say Pogba is growing disillusioned with life at Old Trafford with the club further away from challenging for major honours than ever.
And they report Juve are well aware of the situation and are plotting to attempt to take him back to Turin in the summer.
There is little interest in striking a deal during the current January transfer window despite Pogba looking increasingly unsettled.
Instead, Juve are happy to wait until the end of the campaign when they know they will have the upper hand when it comes to fixing a price.
United have previously priced the French World Cup winner out of a move to both Juve and Real Madrid by demanding in excess of 150million for his services.
But come the summer, Pogba will have just one year left on his existing deal and Juve believe that will mean United have to drastically lower their valuation.
The threat of losing such an investment on a free transfer just 12 months later is likely to focus minds among the Old Trafford board in terms of the pure finances involved in playing hardball and keeping the player against his will.
The report claims his agent Raiola has been talking extensively to Juve about the prospect of putting together a transfer in the summer.
And it is the Italian club who the media in the country believe are the most likely destination for Pogba ahead of a move to Spain with Real or even a lucrative switch to Paris Saint-Germain.
