MARTIAL OUT IN SWAP PLOT
Willian. Both are valued at £75million – and both want to leave their clubs for a fresh challenge.
Willian, 29, has been on Mourinho’s radar ever since the Portuguese took charge at United, and the Brazilian’s recent problems at Chelsea have encouraged his former Stamford Bridge boss that a deal can be done.
The South American has already irritated new Blues boss Maurizio Sarri by arriving back late from his summer break, citing an expired passport as the reason.
And Willian has added to growing disquiet by publicly stating that an agent claiming to have a mandate to negotiate his transfer, doesn’t have authority to act for him.
Sarri insists he wants to keep Willian but Mourinho isn’t giving up – viewing his pace, goal threat and winning mentality as attributes his squad is short on.
United’s board are reluctant to give up on Martial, but Mourinho doesn’t have confidence in the youngster and would happily trade him.
After seeing Nemanja Matic join United a year ago, Chelsea aren’t keen to let another big name go to Old Trafford.
That’s not stopping Mourinho or Woodward trying to do a deal, with a move for Inter’s Croatian winger Ivan Perisic on the back burner. Leicester defender Harry Maguire is also on the wish-list.