LONDON (AFP) - France football midfielder Paul Pogba's transfer to Manchester United moved a step nearer on Sunday, as Juventus granted him permission to undergo a medical check-up.

"Yes, Pogba has been authorised to undergo a medical in Manchester," a club spokesman told AFP.

United too confirmed the news with a short statement on their club website.

"Paul Pogba has been granted permission to have a medical in order to finalise his transfer from Juventus to Manchester United," it read.

The 23-year-old - who left United for Turin for virtually nothing four years ago - was not with the Juventus squad in London for a 3-2 friendly win against West Ham United on Sunday.

Media reports said the French international had already arrived in Manchester.

The fee for the transfer is expected to exceed £100 million (S$176 million) for a player who was able to leave United for just £800,000 in 2012.

His arrival for what would be a world-record fee would secure the four signings who new United manager Jose Mourinho had set his sights on when he replaced Louis van Gaal at the end of last season.

Pogba would join young Ivorian defender Eric Bailly, Armenian international Henrikh Mkhitaryan and veteran Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic in arriving at Old Trafford this summer.

FA Cup holders United face champions Leicester City in the season-opening Community Shield at Wembley later on Sunday.