Day: July 16, 2018

Manchester United manager, Jose Mourinho has taken his eyes down to the Italian Serie A as he continues to search for a new defensive leader ahead of the new season.

The Red Devils have been looking for a new defender this summer as Mourinho believes his current options are simply not good enough to lead them to the Premier League title.

He has targetted Clement Lenglet, but the French man decided to join Barcelona instead, he also wants to sign Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld, but Tottenham are playing hardball over the sale of the World Cup star.

Sun Sport claims that Mourinho has turned his attention to AC Milan captain, Leonardo Bonucci and he hopes to complete the signing of the Italian before the end of preseason.

Bonucci joined Milan last season after falling out with Juventus manager, Max Allegri, but he failed to help the former European champions qualify for the Champions League while a ban for breaking FFP Rules means that they would not be taking part in the Europa League next season also.

Mourinho hopes that the lure of Champions League football and even higher wages would tempt the defender to make the switch. He is prepared to offer the financially troubles Milan £30 million for the defender.

Manchester United and Manchester City would have to break the bank to land their top midfield target, Matteo Kovacic.

The two Manchester teams have been impressed by the World Cup finalist’s performance in Russia despite his limited role off the bench for Croatia.

He has also been impressive for Real Madrid for the past three seasons that he has played for Los Blancos, winning three Champions League crown in the process.

The Croatian took the front page of a popular Spanish daily just before the World Cup to declare his desire to leave Madrid so that he can play regularly.

His desire to leave has called the attention of Manchester United and Manchester City who have begun making plans to bid for his signature.

However, the English duo would have to pay at least £80 million for his signature after Los Merengues slapped that valuation on the former Inter Milan man.

Manchester United are looking for a new midfielder to partner Fred just behind Paul Pogba in their midfield and Jose Mourinho believes that Kovacic is a better player than Marouane Fellaini who has just renewed his Red Devils contract.

Peo Guardiola has just missed out on signing Jorginho and wants Kovacic as an alternative to the Italy international.

Liverpool are prepared to allow Marko Grujic return to Cardiff City on-loan this season as he continues to develop his career outside of Anfield.

The Serbian was Jurgen Klopp’s first signing when he took over from Brendan Rodgers in 2015, but he has found it hard to break into the Red’s first team and spent the second half of last season on loan at the Welsh Club.

Grujic played more than 10 games for the Premier League new boys and netted once, his involvement in their first-team action impressed the Reds and they have decided to allow him to return to Neil Warnock’s side.

Remaining at Anfield was Grujic’s goal after starring for Cardiff last season, however, the signing of Naby Keita and Fabinho means he would fall further down the pecking order at the Champions League finalists.

The Reds have also added Xerdan Shaqiri to their squad and they would certainly be sanctioning more departures before the new season begins.

The likes of Divock Origi have failed to impress in preseason so far, while youngsters like Harry Wilson and Ben Woodburn may also have to make temporary moves away to get more game time.