Man Utd refuse to pay out £40m for Mourinho target – reports
Jose Mourinho and Ed Woodward are once again at loggerheads over a January defensive target, according to a report.
Defender Nikola Milenkovic – dubbed the new Nemanja Vidic – was reported to have caught Jose Mourinho’s eye when he scouted him earlier in the month.
The 21-year-old defender has been earmarked as a potential answer to United’s centre-back issues after summer deals for Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire failed to materialise.
United have been linked with Inter Milan’s Milan Skriniar and Alessio Romagnoli of AC Milan, and while both would be preferred choices for Mourinho, deals to land either – especially in January – will likely prove extremely difficult.
Mourinho is still looking for a fix to his problem, and is keen on bringing Milenkovic in to strengthen his rearguard.
However, The Sun claims that the Red Devils only want to pay £30m, but Fiorentina are not willing to hold talks until their £40m asking price is met.
Meanwhile, The Times suggests that United chiefs are unsure whether Milenkovic is ready to be thrust straight into the starting XI at Old Trafford, having started less than 30 Serie A games.
