Rumour Reel: Imminent Man Utd boss Mourinho readies Old Trafford overhaul
Lee Gormley | May 23, 2016
Coral’s rumour reel
The domestic seasons around Europe have come to a close as the countdown to Euro 2016 continues but, while the fans await kick-off in France this summer, there are plenty of tasty transfer rumours to be enjoyed before then, with Manchester United being linked to a host of top names…
Mourinho to make overhaul
With Louis van Gaal all but confirming he will departing Old Trafford shortly after his Red Devils side’s FA Cup victory over Crystal Palace, Jose Mourinho looks set to take up his long-mooted position in the Manchester dugout.
The Portuguese tactician’s arrival will be sure to help the club recruit new players this summer, despite the absence of Champions League football next season, and the former Chelsea boss is reportedly readying an overhaul, with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward willing to hand over a supposed £200m warchest.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is the main name being continuously linked with a high-profile move to the red half of Manchester, after ending his successful stay with PSG, and his capturing would represent a massive coup for the Red Devils.
As well as the Swedish marksman, Mourinho’s targets reportedly include previously desired Everton defender John Stones, promising Portugal midfielders Andre Gomes and Joao Mario, and Juventus and Inter Milan frontmen Alvaro Morata and Mauro Icardi.
Argentina international defender Ezequiel Garay is also in the fray, as Mourinho looks to revamp the Man Utd squad which he is set to inherit upon his imminent arrival at Old Trafford.
Man City close on Gundogan
Mourinho’s new job will see his long-standing rivalry with Spaniard Pep Guardiola revived in the Premier League surroundings too, with the latter set to take over at Manchester City from Bayern Munich in the coming weeks.
The former Barcelona boss will also be out to strengthen his inherited set-up and his new club are reportedly close to agreeing a deal for Borussia Dortmund and Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, with the 25-year-old the subject of a £20.1m swoop.
Gundogan was previously linked with red rivals Man Utd but looks set to don blue next term instead, as Guardiola aims to grab many of his outlined targets as quickly as possible ahead of what is sure to be an intriguing 2016/17 campaign.
The German will have to wait until September before featuring for Guardiola though, after dislocating his kneecap, an injury which has ruled him out of Euro 2016 this summer.
Arsenal gunning for Benatia
After clawing their way to a second-place finish this season, Arsenal are also in the hunt for new acquisitions in order to go one further next term, and Arsene Wenger is keen to land Bayern’s Moroccan centre-back Medhi Benatia.
The Gunners’ target recently outlined his time at Munich as extremely difficult, stating: “Here in Munich I have experienced the two most difficult years in my career.
“I don’t wish what has happened to me on anyone. I want to be part of the team. The coach trusts you, but you are always injured and this isn’t easy. I can’t explain why I am injured that often.
“I have three years contract left in Munich. If Bayern want me to leave – no problem. If they want me to stay – I will stay.”
Benatia was plagued by injuries in the campaign gone by, making just 29 Bundesliga appearances since his £2m switch from Serie A side Roma.
Related
With the summer soon upon us, Coral’s Rumour Reel is back in full swing, so check out other editions to ensure you don’t miss any major gossip.
Have a gander at our extensive Euro 2016 section too before the big kick-off.
