Transfer Centre

Jose Mourinho to make Willian first signing as Manchester United manager?

By Daniel Lewis, Senior Reporter | 26 May 2016

Incoming Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is hoping to sign Chelsea midfielder Willian in a £60m deal, according to a report.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly planning to make Chelsea midfielder Willian his first signing upon being appointed Manchester United manager.

The Portuguese is expected to be announced as the Red Devils' new boss later this week once negotiations, currently being held up by image rights issues, are finalised.

According to The Sun, Mourinho is desperate to bring Willian - Chelsea's star player during the final days of his Stamford Bridge tenure - to Old Trafford this summer.

However, the Blues are thought to value their Player of the Season for 2015-16 at around £60m, which could price United out of a move unless they are willing to cut costs elsewhere.

The same report suggests that Willian would be open to linking up with his former manager, though, and speaking to reporters this week the Brazilian midfielder heaped praise on the incoming United coach.

"Jose is one of the most successful coaches in the world and Manchester United will be stronger with him as manager," he said. "I played some of my best football under Mourinho.

"He is a special coach and I have a great relationship with him. Winning the Premier League with him was one of the highlights of my career. I was sad things didn't work out after that."

Willian, who joined Chelsea for £30m from Russian side Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013, has two years left to run on his current deal.