Manchester United to raid Arsenal for another international star?
Even though Manchester United completed arguably one of the most sensational January signings ever on Monday, when they announced the signing of Alexis Sanchez from rivals Arsenal, the Red Devils continue to be linked with a host of potential arrivals. Whilst most Gunners fans had accepted that the Chile international had no future at the Emirates Stadium, they were far from happy that the winger pitched up at Old Trafford.
That feeling may get even worse, with the Express reporting that another Gunner will be making the move to the Theatre of Dreams at the end of the season. Mesut Ozil, whose deal is set to expire in the summer, has been linked with a move to United for the past few months and it seems that the playmaker is set to reunite with former boss Jose Mourinho once his deal is up. With Henrikh Mkhitaryan now an Arsenal player having been swapped for Sanchez, Mourinho is reportedly keen to add a number 10 to his ranks and sees Ozil as the perfect replacement for the Armenia international. A move to Old Trafford for the former Real Madrid man would undoubtedly frustrate Arsenal fans but would increase the United faithful’s belief that a 21st league title is surely on the horizon. The German may polarise opinion in North London as to whether he has lived up this billing since joining from Real Madrid back in 2013, but there is little doubt that he remains a fine player. He arguably hit his best form whilst under Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu, which could further motivate the former Schalke 04 to make the switch to Old Trafford.
Mourinho to beef up midfield with the signing of Manchester City transfer target?
United fans, however, may not have to wait until the summer months to welcome a new signing to Old Trafford. According to the Sun, Mourinho is lining up a £35 million move for Nice midfielder Jean Michael Seri this month, as he plans to beef up his options in the middle of the park. Club captain Michael Carrick is widely expected to retire at the end of the season, whilst Marouane Fellaini’s future is up in the air, with the Belgian yet to put pen to paper on a new deal, with his current contract due to expire in six months’ time. Seri, meanwhile, saw a move to Spanish giants Barcelona fall through last summer and is also attracting interest from a host of Premier League sides, with arch-rivals Manchester City also thought to be keen admirers of the 26-year-old. The Ivory Coast international has become a key man for Nice since moving to the club in 2015 and has seen his reputation sore in the last couple of years. In the past, Mourinho has spoken of his reluctance to do business in the January transfer window and having already added Sanchez to his ranks, it would be interesting to see whether he does make a move for Seri before the closure of the window, next week.
United to cool interest in Brazil international
Having been repeatedly linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent months, it seems as though Mourinho has cooled his interest in signing Juventus left-back Alex Sandro, according to the Manchester Evening News. The Brazil international, who is also a major transfer target for rivals Chelsea, has often been tipped to join the Red Devils in a deal worth £60 million, but the recent form of a resurgent Luke Shaw, as well as the impressive performances of veteran Ashley Young have convinced Mourinho that he does not need to add another left-back to his ranks. Last week, the Portuguese boss sang the praises of Shaw and stated that he is currently one of the best players in his position. However, Mourinho has also regularly been critical of the former Southampton man and it would not come as too much of a surprise should he dip into the transfer market for a possible competitor during the summer months.