London - Jose Mourinho wants to hit the ground running at Manchester United this week by announcing a major striker signing after confirmation that 18-year-old England striker Marcus Rashford has signed a new contract.
United are keen to make a major statement of intent following the appointment of Mourinho (above right) on Friday.
Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward was in Milan last night watching Mourinho targets Karim Benzema of Real Madrid and Atletico’s Saul Niguez and meeting other agents at the Champions League final.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic is available on a free after his departure from Paris St Germain with United negotiating with the Swede’s agent Mino Raiola who wants £220,000-a-week for his 34-year-old client. Alvaro Morata of Juventus - given his debut by Mourinho at Real as a teenager - and Pierre-Emeric Aubameyang of Borussia Dortmund are also being considered.
United are working out when to announce a new four-year deal for Rashford to maximise the new feelgood factor around Old Trafford.
England’s new rising star - who looks set to be named in Roy Hodgson’s Euro 2016 squad this week after scoring on his debut against Australia - has agreed terms that will see his wages leap from £1 500-a-week to £25 000-a-week plus bonuses.
Negotiations were done between Woodward, club secretary John Alexander and Rashford’s brother Dwaine Maynard, who was assisted by Chris Welbeck, brother of Arsenal’s ex-United star Danny.
Mourinho wants at least one new signing unveiled before he steps out at Old Trafford for the first time since his appointment in Sunday’s Soccer Aid charity game.
United are expecting a busy summer in the transfer market with La Liga midfielders Andre Gomes (Valencia) and Grzegorz Krychowiak (Sevilla) both being targeted. But Everton and England defender John Stones is still tipped to join Mourinho’s rival Pep Guardiola at Manchester City once the Goodison Park club appoint a new manager.
Midfielder Michael Carrick is expected to be offered a new deal while United are also keen for youngster Cameron Borthwick-Jackson to sign a new contract.
Mail On Sunday