The prospect of Jose Mourinho becoming Manchester United's next boss has unleashed hopes across Europe of a mega-spending spree by the English giant to get back into the elite. While talks with Mourinho's representatives dragged Thursday, media reports have spoken of the Portuguese coach getting between 200 and 300 million pounds ($295-$440 million/263-395 million euros) to spend before the new season starts. While the club has not commented on the reports, Manchester United is desperate to get back into England's top four and the Champions League after three miserable seasons under David Moyes and Louis van Gaal. If media in England, Italy and France are to be believed, Mourinho could replace nearly half the United team. British tabloid, The Sun said Thursday that Mourinho wants Brazilian star Willian from his former club Chelsea. The report said United would have to pay £60 million for Chelsea's 27-year-old player of the year. Other reports have linked Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has left Paris Saint-Germain, to a United move. The Guardian daily said the 34-year-old prolific goalscorer wants a 15 million euro a year salary. Several newspapers have also linked United to a deal for Napoli's Argentine striker Gonzalo Higuain, Serie A's top scorer last season. Sky Sports Italia said that Mourinho wants Roma's 24-year-old defender Kostas Manolas. That would cost another 39.5 million euros. And the list goes on. The Daily Mail has said United is one of a host of clubs looking to see if Leicester City's French international midfielder N'Golo Kante would leave the Premier League champion. The Mail has also said Mourinho would like to sign another of his Chelsea favorites, Nemanja Matic to bolster the United midfield. Other reports have said Mourinho is trailing Everton defender John Stones, West Ham teenager Reece Oxford and Barcelona's defensive midfielder Javier Mascherano. French daily L'Equipe said United is battling with PSG and Chelsea to tempt Antoine Griezmann away from Atletico Madrid. The Daily Telegraph said Mourinho would get £200 million to spend but he "is likely to suffer disappointment over two of his top targets." It said Manchester City and Barcelona are ahead of United in the chase for England defender Stones. The Telegraph added that "Chelsea are determined not to sell Matic to Mourinho." "The figures are huge and some do not seem realistic," said one agent who deals with Premier League clubs. "United may struggle to tempt some players as they will not be in the Champions League. "But Mourinho is a big draw and Manchester is still a big name, no matter which competition they are in. They are still bound to be big spenders in the coming weeks." Ibrahimovic gives hint Zlatan Ibrahimovic deliberated, tapped his fingers on the desk in front of him and let out a beaming smile. The Sweden striker had just been asked if he had received an offer to join Manchester United and his actions spoke as much as his words. "Let's see what happens," he said, laughing. Ibrahimovic is looking for a team for next season after leaving Paris Saint-Germain and has been heavily linked with United. Mourinho and Ibrahimovic got on well during their time together at Inter Milan. He said he has received "concrete offers" from clubs in England, Italy and other countries — but didn't mention any team by name. "I have taken my decision," Ibrahimovic said after a training session with the Swedish national team. He didn't elaborate. Asked if Mourinho was the right man for United, Ibrahimovic said: "I think it's a great move. If you want action, you bring Mourinho. I believe he is the man to bring them back to the top, yes. Wherever he went, he won. He knows what he is doing. If you want to win, you bring Mourinho."
