Manchester United open talks with Monaco over Fabinho

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of Brazilian right-back Fabinho from Monaco, according to reports.

Brazilian daily globoesporte says Jose Mourinho is an admirer of the defender, having worked with him at Real Madrid, and wants to bring him to Old Trafford this summer.

Fabinho joined the Spanish giants from Portuguese club Rio Ave in 2012 and went on to make 30 appearances for Real Madrid Castilla in Mourinho's final season at the Santiago Bernabeu.

He was then loaned out to Monaco for two seasons before the move was made permanent last summer.

United have reportedly made enquiries over the availability of Fabinho, who has the same agent as Mourinho and is contracted to the Ligue 1 club until 2019.

His potential arrival could mark the end of Matteo Darmian's career at United, with the Italy international linked to Serie A giants Napoli and Juventus.

Fellow full-back Timothy Fosu-Mensah is likely to be sent out on loan to continue his development, leaving the Red Devils short of options at right-back.

Fabinho, 22, made 34 league appearances for Monaco last season, scoring six goals.

Pogba deal

Meanwhile, United are reported to be putting the finishing touches on a world record deal to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus.

The France international is widely expected to be Mourinho's fourth signing of the summer transfer window, following the arrivals of Eric Bailly, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Henrikh Mkhitaryan.

The full transfer fee, including the commission paid to Pogba's agent Mino Raiola, could top £125m ($165m).

The biggest ever transfer fee paid by a club is the £85m Real shelled out to Tottenham Hotspur for Gareth Bale in 2013.

Up to nine United players have been reportedly told they can leave the club this summer – either permanently or on loan – including the likes of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Adnan Januzaj, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Will Keane, Paddy McNair and James Wilson.