Manchester United have reportedly been in contact with Juventus over a possible player-plus-cash deal for Paul Pogba.

The 27-year-old has been limited to only eight appearances across all competitions during an injury-plagued 2019-20 campaign, and he has subsequently been heavily linked with a move away when the transfer window reopens.

Juventus are thought to have overtaken Real Madrid as front-runners for his signature, and transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio claims that the Italian champions are interested in a swap deal including Miralem Pjanic or Douglas Costa.

"I think he could leave because he only has one year on his contract. When you only have one year, it is very difficult to renew the contract now. United consider him the most important player, not only on the field, but for marketing, merchandising and for everything," Di Marzio told Sky Sports News.

"But this situation with his contract it makes it very difficult for him to stay. Real Madrid are going forward for him. Zinedine Zidane wanted him last summer. Juventus would like to have him back, but they will only do swap deals.

"So it depends on whether Manchester United needs or wants some Juventus players that they can put in the deal, like Miralem Pjanic and Douglas Costa. I know Juventus and Manchester United have had contact even in the last days because Juventus would like to do this type of deal."

Reports earlier today suggest that United have been forced to slash their asking price for Pogba by as much as 50%.