Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is planning a spending spree when the transfer window reopens in the summer, according to The Mirror.
What’s the word?
United had a quiet January window in terms of incomings. Well, silent actually as they did not make a single signing in order to bolster their squad.
In fact, the only transfer activity that occurred was players going the other way. Morgan Schneiderlin departed for Everton, while Memphis Depay signed for Lyon, but a buy-back clause was installed in the deal, so it may not be the last we see of him at Old Trafford.
The Mirror reports that Mourinho never intended to do any business in the winter month, instead plans to put all his focus into the summer window.
United already have plenty of funds available given that they are one of the richest football clubs in the world, and now they have an additional £40m that was received from the sales of Schneiderlin and Depay.
The publication states that Mourinho’s spending will mirror his intention to transform United back into the force that they once were, which means eventually becoming a strong Champions League contender.
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Who will United go for?
It has been widely reported that Atletico Madrid forward Antoine Griezmann is at the top of Mourinho’s wishlist, and they may even be forced to pay close to or more than the record-breaking £89m that they forked out for Paul Pogba last summer.
The Mirror claim that United are very confident of landing the Frenchman’s signature, so much so that they have already promised him the number seven shirt, which was vacated by Depay.
Signing Griezmann, who has scored eight La Liga goals and produced four assists in 19 appearances, would make a huge statement to their rivals in England and across Europe, but it could also spell the end for captain Wayne Rooney, who is already struggling for game time under Mourinho.
The report states that the manager will also be in the market for a holding midfielder, a central defender and a recognised left-back, which calls into question Luke Shaw’s future at the club.
The England international is only 21 years old, but he has been overlooked by Mourinho numerous times this season, with the manager citing fitness issues as a reason for his absence.
The Portuguese coach’s transfer targets may change over the course of the season, but one thing is for sure, United have the financial power behind them to rival anyone for the best players in the market.
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