KEY POINTS

  • Stan Collymore claims Paul Pogba is not worth £70m.
  • The ex-Liverpool striker believes N'Golo Kante and Dimitri Payet would be a smarter choice.

Former Liverpool striker Stan Collymore has urged Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho to end his ongoing pursuit of France midfielder Paul Pogba and sign his compatriots N'Golo Kante and Dimitri Payet instead. The Red Devils have made the Juventus star as the key target in the summer transfer window.

According to Sky Sports, United are set to make a world-record fee of £100m ($129.5m) in bringing Pogba back to Old Trafford. He has been instrumental in his national's side's performance as midfielder, along with West Ham United star and Leicester City man.

Kante played a key role in helping the Foxes win the title and this has seen him being linked with a move to Real Madrid, according to the Daily Mail. Payet has also been a key figure for both his club and country and the Mirror claims the Champions League winners could make an approach for him this summer.

Collymore believes Pogba is not worth even £70m ($906m) and has advised the former Chelsea manager to complete deals in signing Kante and Payet.

"Paul Pogba is a great player and someone I rate tremendously. He's the epitome of the modern midfielder: athletic, covers the ground well and very tactically aware. But, for £100m of anybody's money, I'd have to say, "No way!" Collymore told the Mirror.

"That's the figure Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly willing to pay Juventus to take the 23-year-old back to Old Trafford and I just don't see where the value is. In fact, I don't even think he's worth £70m or £75m, if I'm being honest.

"The smarter move from Mourinho would be to sign two other members of the France team who'll take on Portugal in the Euro 2016 final on Sunday night – N'Golo Kante and Dimitri Payet instead.

"Because what United need is to be good in the here and now of this season and, while I have no doubt Pogba could become one of the best midfielders on the planet in time, I don't think he'd guarantee the immediate success in the way those two would.

"Kante , in terms of the way he breaks down play and his own athleticism, would be a better signing. And if you bought Kante and Payet , you'd probably still have £20m to £40m left for another signing."