Paul Pogba arrives in Manchester for United medical - CNN

    Manchester United: Paul Pogba checks in for medical

    By Henry Young and Claire Bloomfield, for CNN

    Updated 1141 GMT (1941 HKT) August 8, 2016

    Meet Paul Pogba, the most expensive player in history.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    Meet Paul Pogba, the most expensive player in history.
    Hide Caption
    1 of 10
    The Frenchman, 24, signed for English Premier League side Manchester United in August 2016 for $120 million.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    The Frenchman, 24, signed for English Premier League side Manchester United in August 2016 for $120 million.
    Hide Caption
    2 of 10
    In his first season with United, he scored five Premier League goals and helped the club win three trophies -- the Europa League, the League Cup and Charity Shield.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    In his first season with United, he scored five Premier League goals and helped the club win three trophies -- the Europa League, the League Cup and Charity Shield.
    Hide Caption
    3 of 10
    He started his career at French side Le Havre and immediately caught the eye. When he played for France Under-16s he was already attracting attention from elsewhere.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    He started his career at French side Le Havre and immediately caught the eye. When he played for France Under-16s he was already attracting attention from elsewhere.
    Hide Caption
    4 of 10
    In 2009, Pogba left home to join Manchester United for his first stint in England. A drawn-out legal battle preceded the transfer, but the then teenager was finally allowed to move to Old Trafford.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    In 2009, Pogba left home to join Manchester United for his first stint in England. A drawn-out legal battle preceded the transfer, but the then teenager was finally allowed to move to Old Trafford.
    Hide Caption
    5 of 10
    Pogba joined the youth ranks at United, where he began to earn a reputation as one of the club's most promising players.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    Pogba joined the youth ranks at United, where he began to earn a reputation as one of the club's most promising players.
    Hide Caption
    6 of 10
    But the Frenchman made just seven first-team appearances for United during his first spell at Old Trafford and refused to sign a new contract. He left for Juventus in 2012 with United receiving around $1m in compensation.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    But the Frenchman made just seven first-team appearances for United during his first spell at Old Trafford and refused to sign a new contract. He left for Juventus in 2012 with United receiving around $1m in compensation.
    Hide Caption
    7 of 10
    At Juventus, Pogba helped the club win four consecutive league titles and was part of the team which reached the Champions League final in 2015.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    At Juventus, Pogba helped the club win four consecutive league titles and was part of the team which reached the Champions League final in 2015.
    Hide Caption
    8 of 10
    During his time in Turin, the central midfielder became a world star and also became accustomed to collecting medals, winning the Italian Cup and Super Cup twice with Juve.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    During his time in Turin, the central midfielder became a world star and also became accustomed to collecting medals, winning the Italian Cup and Super Cup twice with Juve.
    Hide Caption
    9 of 10
    He helped France reach the final of Euro 2016, but was unable to lead his team to victory on home turf. Eder's extra-time strike won it for Portugal, leaving Pogba and his teammates heartbroken, but a move to Manchester soon beckoned.
    Photos: Paul Pogba -- the most expensive player in history
    He helped France reach the final of Euro 2016, but was unable to lead his team to victory on home turf. Eder's extra-time strike won it for Portugal, leaving Pogba and his teammates heartbroken, but a move to Manchester soon beckoned.
    Hide Caption
    10 of 10
    Paul Pogba of Manchester United Pogba man united teasepogba teasePogba 1Pogba 2Pogba 3Pogba 4Pogba 5pogba teasePogba 6

    Story highlights

    • Paul Pogba arrives for medical at Carrington training complex
    • Expected to move for world-record fee
    • Could be as high as $131 million
    • United beats Leicester in Community Shield

    (CNN)French midfield star Paul Pogba arrived in Manchester on Monday via a private jet to undergo a medical at Manchester United's Carrington Training Complex as he edges closer to finalizing his $131 million transfer from Juventus.

    The English Premier League club revealed in an official statement yesterday that the player had been granted permission to travel to England to complete the world-record breaking move.
      Just four years ago Sir Alex Ferguson allowed him to leave Old Trafford for as little as $1.9 million, still only 19 at the time.
        Now 23, Pogba could be crowned the world's most expensive player and will join new signing Zlatan Ibrahimovic as Jose Mourinho's Manchester revolution continues to take shape.
        But is Pogba worth the money?
        Read More
        In 35 Serie A appearances last season, the versatile Frenchman scored eight times from midfield -- more than United's Herrera, Schneiderlin, Carrick and Fellaini combined -- providing 12 assists, the most in the division.

          Bye New York ✈️

          A photo posted by Paul Labile Pogba (@paulpogba) on

          At 1.91 meters tall, he possesses strength and stature, but also deceptive speed -- regularly bursting through the lines for Juventus last season, seizing games by the scruff of the neck to take the Italian champion forward.
          READ MORE: Paul Pogba -- The never-ending transfer saga of the $120M man
          Allied to Pogba's stature is an elegance with the ball that's showcased on highlight reels around the world. No United player completed more successful dribbles than Pogba's total of 102 last season.
          The ebullient swagger that once contributed to Alex Ferguson letting Pogba go has gone on to define his playing style, in turn contributing to his rise.

          Young shoulders

          But with a huge price tag there comes pressure to deliver. Of the 20 players to have broken the transfer world record since Johan Cruyff in 1973, only two -- Ruud Gullit (1987) and Zinedine Zidane (2001) -- can be regarded as midfielders in the vein of Manchester United's new signing.
          While a 30-goal forward, like Alan Shearer, Cristiano Ronaldo -- or more recently Gonzalo Higuain -- can prove their worth in concrete terms by firing their team to the title, Pogba faces a very different challenge.
          READ MORE: Higuain joins Juventus in $99 million deal
          Cristiano Ronaldo poses with models as he unveils his debut fragrence "Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy" at a launch party on September 9, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. Ronaldo's global popularity has grown thanks to the work of his agent Jorge Mendes.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Cristiano Ronaldo poses with models as he unveils his debut fragrence "Cristiano Ronaldo Legacy" at a launch party on September 9, 2015 in Madrid, Spain. Ronaldo's global popularity has grown thanks to the work of his agent Jorge Mendes.
          Hide Caption
          1 of 15
          Super agent Mendes stands in front of the press to promote book "The Special Agent" written by Miguel Cuesta and Jonathan Sanchez. Cuesta says Mendes' charm, along with his round-the-clock work ethic, is what appeals to star players and major football clubs.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Super agent Mendes stands in front of the press to promote book "The Special Agent" written by Miguel Cuesta and Jonathan Sanchez. Cuesta says Mendes' charm, along with his round-the-clock work ethic, is what appeals to star players and major football clubs.
          Hide Caption
          2 of 15
          Anthony Martial scored only 11 senior-level goals in his career before being sold by AS Monaco for $55.5 million to Manchester United. Although he was not the player's agent, Mendes reportedly recommended the player to the buyers.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Anthony Martial scored only 11 senior-level goals in his career before being sold by AS Monaco for $55.5 million to Manchester United. Although he was not the player's agent, Mendes reportedly recommended the player to the buyers.
          Hide Caption
          3 of 15
          Mendes' first big signing was then-18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who was moved from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United in 2003. In 2009 Man U sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid, netting $100 million in profits. "Jorge and Cristiano Ronaldo have been a perfect match for each other," says agent Barry Silkman.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Mendes' first big signing was then-18-year-old Cristiano Ronaldo, who was moved from Sporting Lisbon to Manchester United in 2003. In 2009 Man U sold Ronaldo to Real Madrid, netting $100 million in profits. "Jorge and Cristiano Ronaldo have been a perfect match for each other," says agent Barry Silkman.
          Hide Caption
          4 of 15
          Mendes was at Ronaldo's side when the star renewed his Real contract in September 2013.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Mendes was at Ronaldo's side when the star renewed his Real contract in September 2013.
          Hide Caption
          5 of 15
          James Rodriguez played only one year at Monaco before being sold to Real for a profit of $50 million. Mendes represents Rodriguez and is said to have a working relationship selling players for Monaco.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          James Rodriguez played only one year at Monaco before being sold to Real for a profit of $50 million. Mendes represents Rodriguez and is said to have a working relationship selling players for Monaco.
          Hide Caption
          6 of 15
          Jose Mourinho signed with Mendes because of his ability to secure an interview with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, according to Mendes' biographer, thus launching a two-term title run with the Blues.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Jose Mourinho signed with Mendes because of his ability to secure an interview with Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, according to Mendes' biographer, thus launching a two-term title run with the Blues.
          Hide Caption
          7 of 15
          Mendes' client David de Gea was the victim of a bureaucratic mishap between United and Real on transfer deadline day, but signed a new contract with the Red Devils shortly after.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Mendes' client David de Gea was the victim of a bureaucratic mishap between United and Real on transfer deadline day, but signed a new contract with the Red Devils shortly after.
          Hide Caption
          8 of 15
          Radamel Falcao of Chelsea has played for four teams in four seasons -- all of which have close ties to his agent Mendes.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Radamel Falcao of Chelsea has played for four teams in four seasons -- all of which have close ties to his agent Mendes.
          Hide Caption
          9 of 15
          In England Falcao has struggled to recapture the form he showed at Porto and Atletico Madrid. The Colombian required knee surgery after he was injured playing for Monaco against an amateur side in a French Cup tie on January 2014.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          In England Falcao has struggled to recapture the form he showed at Porto and Atletico Madrid. The Colombian required knee surgery after he was injured playing for Monaco against an amateur side in a French Cup tie on January 2014.
          Hide Caption
          10 of 15
          Mendes' client Angel Di Maria was signed by Paris Saint-Germain for $68 million after scoring only four goals at United.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Mendes' client Angel Di Maria was signed by Paris Saint-Germain for $68 million after scoring only four goals at United.
          Hide Caption
          11 of 15
          Chelsea goalscorer Diego Costa, another Mendes client, was sold from Atletico for $49 million in 2014.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Chelsea goalscorer Diego Costa, another Mendes client, was sold from Atletico for $49 million in 2014.
          Hide Caption
          12 of 15
          Another Mendes client, Nicolas Otamendi was sold by Valencia to Manchester City for $44 million on transfer deadline day.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Another Mendes client, Nicolas Otamendi was sold by Valencia to Manchester City for $44 million on transfer deadline day.
          Hide Caption
          13 of 15
          Former Mendes client Nani is still on good terms with the agent, according to his uncle Antonio Mustafa Jalo. "A player who is not a natural talent cannot shine without him," he said.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Former Mendes client Nani is still on good terms with the agent, according to his uncle Antonio Mustafa Jalo. "A player who is not a natural talent cannot shine without him," he said.
          Hide Caption
          14 of 15
          Real boss Florentino Perez (R) has taken part in many deals involving Mendes and was a guest at his wedding. He is seen welcoming in new coach Rafa Benitez earlier this year.
          Photos: Super agent Jorge Mendes' web of influence in world football
          Real boss Florentino Perez (R) has taken part in many deals involving Mendes and was a guest at his wedding. He is seen welcoming in new coach Rafa Benitez earlier this year.
          Hide Caption
          15 of 15
          ronaldo models teaseJorge Mendesanthony martial monacoronaldo gallery closermendes cristianojames rodriguez celebratesmourinho chelsea stressDe Geafalcao chelsea palacemendes and radamelAngel Di Maria playing against AFCBdiego costa gifOtamendiNani goal 18/02Rafa Benitez Real Madrid 3
            Is Pogba the right signing? Have your say on our Facebook page
            After United confirmed Pogba's medical on Sunday, Mourinho's team beat Premier League champion Leicester 2-1 in the Community Shield, which is the English football season's curtain raiser, with Swedish striker Ibrahimovic scoring the winner.