Manchester United only willing to loan Adnan Januzaj to Sunderland to avoid repeat of re-signing Paul Pogba at super inflated price

Manchester United are set to loan Adnan Januzaj to Sunderland, as they want to avoid having to buy back former players for inflated fees in the future - just as they did with Paul Pogba.

The Black Cats had enquired about a permanent deal for the 21-year-old but United would prefer to keep him on their books for another season at least.

Pogba returned to Old Trafford for a world-record fee approaching £100million this week after leaving for Juventus four years ago.




Manchester United will loan Adnan Januzaj to Sunderland, turning down a permanent deal



Januzaj would appear to not be part of Jose Mourinho's first team plans this season



United keen to avoid repeat of buying back a former player such as Paul Pogba for £100m


Januzaj in action for Manchester United during the pre-season defeat to Borussia Dortmund

And, while United have been disappointed with Januzaj's development in recent seasons, there is still a feeling that the talented winger is too good to discard at this stage.


Sportsmail understands talks are currently ongoing about a season-long switch to the Stadium of Light, and Januzaj should join United team-mates Paddy McNair and Donald Love in becoming a Sunderland player before the end of the week.

Defenders Love and McNair will cost Sunderland around £6m in total and manager David Moyes hopes to have them in the squad for Saturday’s Premier League opener at Manchester City.



David Moyes gave the young winger his United debut and has made him his top target


Januzaj (left) scored twice - against Sunderland - on his debut for United in 2013



Januzaj's development has stalled, and he was on loan at Borussia Dortmund last season

Sportsmail revealed last month that Januzaj’s name was at the top of Moyes’ wish-list upon taking charge on Wearside and the Belgian has indicated that he wants to be reunited with the man who handed him his United debut.

That, ironically, was at Sunderland in 2013 and Januzaj responded with a match-winning double in a 2-1 victory.

Meanwhile, defender Lamine Kone is set to join Everton in an £18m deal, although Moyes’ attempts to take Phil Jagielka in the opposite direction have been rejected by the Toffees.


Januzaj should follow Donald Love (left) and Paddy McNair in joining Sunderland this week

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