Man City pass up the chance to prise Pogba from neighbours United

Manchester City have turned down the opportunity to secure Manchester United's 18-year-old midfielder Paul Pogba on a pre-contract agreement for next season.

City have been looking to improve their options in the centre of midfield and were offered the France youth international during a meeting with the agent, Mino Raiola, at the beginning of last week but were wary of his financial demands.

The club also are conscious of the complications involved in taking one of United's most prized assets away from their neighbours' academy.

Although Pogba will be free to join the club of his choice when his three-year contract at Old Trafford expires this summer, a switch to another Premier League club would almost certainly necessitate an English Football Association tribunal with a potentially expensive outcome.

If Pogba ignores advice to extend his stay at United he could move to Italy.