Jose Mourinho is planning a monster £180m spending spree to get Manchester United firing again, according to the Daily Telegraph.
As has been widely reported today, the Red Devils are closing in on a £38m deal for Benfica defender Victor Lindelof.
But according to the Telegraph’s James Ducker, the 22-year-old centre half could be just the first in a series of big-money buys for Mourinho over the course of the next two transfer windows as he seeks to finally take United back to competing for the top trophies.
The other targets he is looking at include Atletico Madrid star Antoine Griezmann, 25, who has a £84m release clause and would add some much-needed dynamism to United’s attack.
Former Real Madrid and Chelsea boss Mourinho is also keen on Benfica right back Nelson Semedo, who would cost around £25m and provide competition for Antonio Valencia. At 23-years-old, Portuguese international Semedo could also be a long-term replacement for the 31-year-old Valencia.
Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, 22, is the other name being linked with United. A potential replacement for 35-year-old Michael Carrick, Bakayoko is also being closely monitored by Chelsea and would cost around £35m.
Despite the high outlay for the four players – which could take Mourinho’s spending at the club to over £300m in a single year – all four players are young and could provide years of service while bringing down the average age of the squad, and command good sell-on fees.
United chiefs have also been briefing that they would like to see Mourinho stay on past his current three year contract as they are pleased with how his reign has started and his impact at the club, and feel he is finally the man they have been looking for to replace Alex Ferguson after false starts with David Moyes and Louis van Gaal.
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