Manchester United have been stunned by the revelation that Jose Mourinho has been talking to Valencia for the last month, as the Spanish club look to find a long-term replacement for the hapless Gary Neville.
The Sun report that the talks have come to light since Neville's sacking on Wednesday, with Mourinho's influential 'super-agent' Jorge Mendes said to be a close advisor to Valencia owner Peter Lim. They claim that while Mourinho would prefer a move to Old Trafford, a deal has been agreed with the Liga club.
The deal features massive wages in the region of £15m-a-year, with a healthy transfer budget of £100m to be handed to the Portuguese manager on his arrival. It's thought that the deal was discussed last month when Mourinho and Mendes met with Lim in Singapore.
The former Chelsea boss has been linked with a move to United since he was sacked by the Blues in December, but has yet to make any agreement stick with the Manchester side.
That is due largely to the uncertainty surrounding Louis van Gaal's position at the club, with reports over the last month suggesting that Ed Woodward is planning the summer's transfer business as though the Dutchman will still be in charge at the end of the season.
With Mourinho already having publicly admitted that he wants to be installed at a club early in the summer, it's near-impossible to imagine him waiting for Van Gaal to see out last year of his contract - leaving the path open for a move to Valencia.
Meanwhile, Neville said after his sacking: “I understand we are in a results business. In the 28 games they have not been to my standards or to those which are required by this club.”
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- Soccer
- Sports & Recreation
- Jose Mourinho
- Manchester United
- Gary Neville
- Jorge Mendes
- Valencia