Real Madrid have made an initial move for Paul Pogba, as it is understood intermediaries are now discussing a potential deal for the Manchester United star.

The 26-year-old actively wants to leave for the Bernabeu in this window, and is one of the main summer targets of Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane, who so wants Pogba he has agreed to compromise on preferred number-one Keylor Navas.

Zidane has agreed to sell the Costa Rican, to try and aid and fund the purchase of Pogba.

United’s preference has always been to keep Pogba, but a number of factors - from lesser commercial value than anticipated to his influence on the dressing room - have made them more open to a potential sale.

The Old Trafford hierarchy would want well in excess of £150m, but that is just one of many factors set to make this one of the sagas of the summer.

Manchester United: Keep or sell? Show all 26 1 /26 Manchester United: Keep or sell? Manchester United: Keep or sell? Who will Manchester United keep this summer? It has been a rollercoaster season for Manchester United leaving Ole Gunnar solskjaer with key decisions to make over who should stay and who should leave this summer Man Utd via Getty Images Manchester United: Keep or sell? David De Gea Form is temporary, class is permanent. Riddled with errors of late but remains United’s most important player, even when in the last year of his contract. Keep Action Images via Reuters Manchester United: Keep or sell? Sergio Romero A reserve goalkeeper yet says everything about United’s recruitment that he is one of the better signings of the post-Ferguson era. Keep Getty Manchester United: Keep or sell? Lee Grant Third-choice, veteran goalkeeper whose home-grown status means he helps to meet squad requirements for European competition. Keep Getty Images Manchester United: Keep or sell? Ashley Young Set to spend a third straight season at right-back, having signed a new contract, yet surely cannot be the automatic first-choice. Sell, yet likely to stay Getty Images Manchester United: Keep or sell? Diogo Dalot Some glimpses of promise but the jury’s still out. At 20-years-old, clearly still raw, though needs to perform more consistently when handed opportunities. Keep Action Images via Reuters Manchester United: Keep or sell? Antonio Valencia Solskjaer recently confirmed for the first time that club captain Valencia’s contract would not be renewed come the end of the season. Sell Getty Manchester United: Keep or sell? Luke Shaw After several years of treading water at Old Trafford, Shaw has been a quiet success story of an otherwise forgettable season. Keep Getty Manchester United: Keep or sell? Chris Smalling Will be United’s longest-serving player when Valencia departs. Signed a new contract. A new centre-back should make him compete for his place. Keep as cover, for now. Keep as cover, for now AFP/Getty Images Manchester United: Keep or sell? Phil Jones Another survivor of the Ferguson era. Comes in for an undue amount of criticism, but his longstanding injury problems and inconsistency undermine his case to stay. Sell, yet likely to stay AFP/Getty Images Manchester United: Keep or sell? Victor Lindelof A contender for United’s player of the year alongside Shaw, though form of autumn and winter has tailed off. Keep REUTERS Manchester United: Keep or sell? Eric Bailly A defender with raw gifts but a questionable injury record. Seemingly unfancied by Solskjaer. Close to outgoing Spanish-speakers like Herrera and Mata. Keep as cover, for now EPA Manchester United: Keep or sell? Marcos Rojo Has played a pitiful amount of football since renewing terms last year. Offers nothing while out for long periods of time for unspecified reasons. Sell AP Manchester United: Keep or sell? Matteo Darmian Surprise starter against City, United have attempted to offload Darmian for several windows now. Should finally cut ties this summer. Sell EPA Manchester United: Keep or sell? Nemanja Matic Increasingly appears as if holding midfielder’s best days are behind him. Currently first-choice in an area of the pitch where United must improve. Sell Getty Manchester United: Keep or sell? Fred United’s fourth-most expensive signing of all time has suffered a difficult first year. Questions remain over his ability, despite a handful of competent showings. Keep, for now Action Images via Reuters Manchester United: Keep or sell? Scott McTominay Recently emerged as a useful squad player in the mould of Darren Fletcher of late. Questions remain over long-term place but deserving of more opportunities. Keep Getty Images Manchester United: Keep or sell? Paul Pogba An enigma. Important commercially and has the natural ability to dominate on-the-pitch too but inconsistent. Real Madrid’s interest is no secret. Keep, only sell for record money AFP/Getty Manchester United: Keep or sell? Andreas Pereira Yet another to have signed new terms, yet has rarely taken opportunities granted to him. Sell, but likely to stay Getty Manchester United: Keep or sell? Ander Herrera Expected to join Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer. A player who clearly ‘gets’ the club but fresh, younger alternatives would be welcome. Release Getty Manchester United: Keep or sell? Alexis Sanchez A symbol of the club’s poor decision-making and arguably its least successful transfer of the modern era. Astronomical wages may prohibit a sale. Sell, if possible Getty Images Manchester United: Keep or sell? Juan Mata Edging closer to the exit door, with no new contract signed. Perhaps too languid for Solskjaer's ideal style of play. Like Herrera, a young alternative would be preferable. Release Manchester United: Keep or sell? Jesse Lingard A regular target for criticism but also an academy product who has earned his current status at Old Trafford. Needs to rediscover match-winning ability of last season. Keep AP Manchester United: Keep or sell? Anthony Martial Valid questions remain over whether he will reach his potential, though natural ability is clear. Having just signed until 2024, he is likely to stay around for a while yet. Keep REUTERS Manchester United: Keep or sell? Romelu Lukaku A better player than his time at United suggests. If Solskjaer can fit him into a coherent system, he should stay. If not, hard to see him as a substitute. Keep, but sell at right price EPA Manchester United: Keep or sell? Marcus Rashford One of the few players United fans would be disappointed to lose. Contract talks are ongoing, with current deal effectively set to expire in two years. Keep Getty

The first is that Pogba’s agent Mino Raiola is now suspended by Fifa until 9 August, the day after the closure of the Premier League window. That will likely mean any signing will be delayed until the end of the summer, if a deal can be struck.

While Zidane is intent on Pogba, meanwhile, the Bernabeu hierarchy are less sold on the player’s influence and more interested in Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen.

It is understood that Zidane’s willingness to let Navas go might have solved this, though, especially as he has previously preferred the Costa Rican to Thibaut Courtois.

Madrid want to make Courtois their marquee number-one, so concession on this sees them more willing to back the purchase of Pogba.

The midfielder’s wage demands, however, could yet prove the biggest obstacle of all. Pogba wants to be made the highest-paid player in the world, which could involve a basic wage of up to £500,000.

That would make Madrid baulk, since they would struggle to fund both the price of the purchase and such a salary.

Pogba has an uncertain future (Getty Images)

The Bernabeu hierarchy would therefore prefer a player-plus-cash deal, but United are not currently interested. Talk of Toni Kroos being included has gone quiet, and it is now felt Raphael Varane will stay in the Spanish capital.

How will Real Madrid line up next season? Show all 12 1 /12 How will Real Madrid line up next season? How will Real Madrid line up next season? How will Real Madrid line up next season? It's going to be all change at the Bernabeu. So who will Zinedine Zidane be picking next season? Getty Images How will Real Madrid line up next season? Thibaut Courtois Appears to have won the goalkeeping battle, for now at least EPA How will Real Madrid line up next season? Dani Carvajal The Spanish right back is likely to keep his spot with Achraf Hakimi still on loan at Dortmund AFP/Getty Images How will Real Madrid line up next season? Eder Militao The first new signing of Zidane's second spell could oust Raphael Varane from the starting line-up REUTERS How will Real Madrid line up next season? Sergio Ramos Not the player he was but now he has committed his future to the club, he should keep his spot for now EPA How will Real Madrid line up next season? Marcelo Another who isn't quite at the same level of years ago but he's still a quality left-back AP How will Real Madrid line up next season? Casemiro Real's best defensive midfield option keeps his place AP How will Real Madrid line up next season? Toni Kroos The German international could leave but if he stays should start in what is set to be a new-look midfield REUTERS How will Real Madrid line up next season? Paul Pogba Zidane is pushing hard to get him with United more open than ever to letting him leave. For the right price, of course Reuters How will Real Madrid line up next season? Vinicius Jr Could kick on into becoming one of the world's very best after an impressive breakout season Getty Images How will Real Madrid line up next season? Luka Jovic The Eintracht Frankfurt star could well be Bernabeu-bound as the heir to Karim Benzema Bongarts/Getty Images How will Real Madrid line up next season? Eden Hazard Chelsea have resigned themselves to losing their star man with Zidane a known admirer for some time REUTERS

Madrid would love to include previous Old Trafford target Gareth Bale in the deal, since Zidane wants to get rid of the forward this summer, but United do not currently have interest in a player who turns 30 in July and would command huge wages.