With Manchester Evening News this week suggesting Jose Mourinho has handed club CEO Ed Woodward an alternative list of Premier League-based targets in each position he plans to strengthen, Alex Turk looks at who might be in the Portuguese manager’s sights.
Centre-back: Michael Keane (Burnley)
Manchester United secured their first signing of the summer last Wednesday as promising Swedish defender Victor Lindelöf became the third most expensive defender in the world, joining for a fee of around £31m from Portuguese giants S.L. Benfica.
However, there appeared to be two secondary options in case a move for Lindelöf broke down again, as it did in the January window. Those players were Southampton’s Virgil van Dijk and Michael Keane of Burnley.
With the Saints wanting almost £60m for van Djik it would make more sense to bring Keane back to Old Trafford after Louis van Gaal let him depart in 2015 for a miniscule amount.
Michael Keane might not have the calibre to be a regular starter at a club of Manchester United’s stature just yet, but for a reported price of £18m he could prove to be a reliable back-up option for Mourinho’s preferred central pairing next season.
Centre-midfielder: (Eric Dier or Nemanja Matic)
Similar to the centre-back situation, José Mourinho has apparently been looking at two English top flight alternatives to his reported first-choice, Roma playmaker Radja Nainggolan.
The first is young England midfielder Eric Dier, who has repeatedly impressed at White Hart Lane over the past few seasons. Mourinho allegedly sees him as a candidate to replace Michael Carrick.
Dier would be a nice addition, but it seems like the more experienced option, 28-year-old Chelsea powerhouse Nemanja Matic, is more likely to happen because of his strong bond with the United boss.
Whoever is signed will likely play in the deepest position as part of a midfield three with Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba, so either Premier League player – the youthful Dier or proven Matic – might just fit the bill over Belgium international Nainggolan.
Winger: Willian (Chelsea)
It’s no secret that the Reds are desperate to add Ivan Perišić to their attacking options and have reportedly had numerous bids and approaches turned down from Inter Milan already.
United’s latest bid totalled up to £35m, which some consider already too much for someone of Perišić’s age and ability, but with the San Siro club expecting £50m for his services it would be wise to end interest and look at options closer to home.
One logical name that has been thrown up to improve the currently-lacklustre attack is ex-Mourinho man Willian, currently playing second fiddle at Chelsea because of the form shown in last season’s title-winning side by Eden Hazard and Pedro.
In 2015/16 – José Mourinho’s final term as Blues gaffer when he lost the support of the whole squad which eventually led to his sacking mid-way through – there was one player still giving his all and that player was Willian.
At this moment in time, Ivan Perišić certainly looks the more likely to join but the Brazilian could be a valid option if a deal falls through because of how much the former is valued by his current club.
Striker: Romelu Lukaku (Everton)
Arguably Manchester United’s top summer target, Álvaro Morata, seems incredibly close to becoming the club’s second signing of the window after the proposed Griezmann transfer failed to materialse.
The only thing that seems to be in the way of Morata becoming Zlatan Ibrahimović’s replacement is the ludicrous amount of money that Real Madrid are wanting for him. They reportedly want £70-80m, but talks are expected to begin once the player gets back from his honeymoon.
For many fans, including myself, Everton’s Romelu Lukaku would be a perfect fit. His pace, power and finishing makes him a proper ‘Mourinho player’ despite being snubbed when he was much younger at Chelsea. But he could now be moving back to his old side instead of United.
At the age of just 24, Lukaku is considered as one of the most prolific strikers in the Premier League right now and would’ve won last season’s golden boot award if it wasn’t for seven goals in Harry Kane’s final two games.
As much as the big Belgian would be superb in the famous red shirt, it just doesn’t as though United are in the running anymore, but that could change if Morata talks hit a snag.
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