Report: Jose Mourinho confident of landing Manchester United job, wants Gonzalo Higuain at Old Trafford
Louis van Gaal's time at Manchester United is set to come to an end as Jose Mourinho remains confident that he will land the managerial job at Old Trafford in the summer.
The speculation surrounds over the Dutchman's future with the Red Devils as the Portuguese tactician keeps getting linked with the 20-time English champions and also Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.
According to the report from the Mirror, the former Inter Milan and Real Madrid manager has told his close friends and also PSG last week that he has his heart set on joining United. He also explained them that he will manage the Premier League giants from the upcoming campaign.
Van Gaal will have one year left on his contract in the summer. Under his guidance, United have been eliminated from the Champions League group stages and knocked out by Liverpool in the Europa League.
However, the former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager has helped the Old Trafford club reach Wembley after defeating West Ham United in the quarter-final of the FA Cup. Despite this, United are set to cut ties with their current boss after the end of the ongoing season.
Mourinho has already started working on transfers he is looking to complete at United. He has identified his former striker Gonzalo Higuain as the main target in the summer and has already lined up a £70m move for the Napoli hitman.
The Argentine international has two years left on his contract and has not extended his contract with the Serie A outfit. Italian news outlet Mediaset Premium earlier reported that the ex-Real star will not agree a new deal and this means Napoli will be forced to sell the striker for less than his release clause.
However, Napoli have rubbished the report from Mediaset Premium and have decided to boycott the Italian TV house.
"Napoli are appalled by Paolo Bargiggia's service which was broadcast on Mediaset, telling a series of falsehoods regarding the employment relationship between Gonzalo Higuain and SSCN," a statement read.
"[It was] a service devoid of truthfulness and packaged without respecting any journalistic rule. No source exists which can confirm what Bargiggia says.
"Mediaset has been revolutionary in the context of Italian journalism: those times, unfortunately, are far away.
"Napoli is required, with immediate effect, to terminate immediately the journalistic relationship with Mediaset's sports networks, which therefore means our members can no longer grant interviews, even at the stadium, regardless of any trade agreement.
"Napoli and its fans are not afraid of major powers and those who wish to destabilise a relaxed environment. They do demand respect."
It should be seen whether Mourinho can convince Higuain to join him at United.