Jose Mourinho has reportedly agreed personal terms to become the next Manchester United boss. The transfers will follow soon after his unveiling.
Last night, Sky Sports brought us the news that Mourinho had come to an agreement over personal terms – contract length, salary, image rights, bonuses, etc. – with United.
Jose Mourinho 'agrees personal terms' with Manchester United https://t.co/Kf0GwHkVVn
— SportsJOE (@SportsJOEdotie) May 25, 2016
It is thought the former Chelsea and Real Madrid has known of United’s interest for a number of months so has laid the ground-work for his summer transfers.
Mourinho’s arrival should guarantee the likes of David De Gea and Anthony Martial remaining with the club, while players that were shunned for large parts of last season – Morgan Schneiderlin, Memphis Depay, Adnan Januzaj – will now look forward to 2016/17.
Mourinho, however, has steadfast contract targets.
The Portuguese made it clear that the club needs an overhaul of its playing staff. He is reported, by The Mirror, to have told United executive vice chairman that priority signings are at centre-back, right midfielder, central midfielder and centre-forward.
Mourinho has also identified an area where United have lacked real bite and influence ever since Roy Keane departed the club in 2005. He has told Woodward that he wants “a captain” to play in centre midfield.
A double blow, one would imagine, for current captain Wayne Rooney’s plans to drop back to midfield. Nevertheless, Mourinho may be seeking a midfield general in the Keane or Bryan Robson ilk.
United have already been linked to 16 highly sought-after players and, this morning, were also linked to Ruben Neves [Porto], João Mário [Sporting Lisbon] and André Gomes [Valencia].
