Jose Mourinho Has Identified His Top Target For January Transfer Window

After spending big in the summer, Jose Mourinho isn't expected to splash the cash too much in January, but there is talk that he has set his sights on one player in particular.

Though Mourinho was desperate to sign four players in the summer, he only ended up getting three: Romelu Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic. Inter Milan winger Ivan Perisic was a top target but a deal couldn't be thrashed out and the Croatian signed a new deal at the San Siro.

United are unlikely to go back in for him mid-season, but they do have their eyes on as different type of creative player. As per Miguel Delaney from The Independent, Mourinho has identified Valencia's Carlos Soler as his No.1 transfer target.

Image: PA

The attacking midfielder, who can play from the centre, right or left but is not an out and out winger, has been in fine form for Marcelino's high-flying Valencia this term. Undefeated Los Che are in second-place, four points behind Barcelona, and have been playing a very exciting brand of football.

Soler, 20, only made his first-team debut just under a year ago but has been integral to Valencia's success, making 11 appearances - scoring once and registering four assists. His performances have alerted Mourinho and his staff, who feel he could a bit of creativity that United have been bereft of in the absence of record signing Paul Pogba.

Things just haven't been the same for United without Paul Pogba. Image: PA

Delaney notes that Soler would likely cost around £40 million, but United could explore the possibility of including Andreas Pereira in a cash-plus-player arrangement. The Belgian-born Brazilian is on loan at the Mestalla this season and has made nine appearances thus far.

Image: PA

Though fortunes on the pitch have improved dramatically on the pitch for Valencia this term, following two consecutive 12th placed finishes, they are still not in a healthy position financially. And as much as they would not want sell youth product Soler, if a sizeable offer came in for the Spain Under 21 international, it may well be too tempting to turn down.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Paul Pogba, valencia, Jose Mourinho, Manchester United, La Liga

Josh Lawless

Josh is a writer who specialises in football and wrestling. He has been published by Curzon Ashton FC, Late Tackle, Manchester City FC, The Mirror, Read Man City and Manchester Evening News. He provides coverage of professional wrestling and has interviewed some of the biggest names in the field - including the first UK interview with The Hardy Boyz after their return to WWE. He has never sported a pair of Lonsdale Slip-ons, contrary to reports.

@https://twitter.com/JoshLawless_