Jose Mourinho targets Joao Mario to replace attacking midfield flop Henrikh Mkhitaryan at Manchester United
Reports in Italy suggest the Special One is keen to offer the out-of-favour Armenian in a swap deal for highly-rated playmaker
JOSE MOURINHO is lining up Inter Milan ace Joao Mario to replace flop Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to reports.
The Armenian winger, 28, has played just once since the 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on November 5 - a 19-minute cameo in the clash with Brighton.
And Corriere dello Sport claim Mario is being lined up as a January replacement after Mkhitaryan was dropped from the squad for the Manchester derby.
It has been suggested the former Borussia Dortmund star has demanded showdown talks with his boss over the snub.
And Corriere dello Sport add that Mkhitaryan could go on loan to Milan for the rest of the season to tempt Inter to sell.
The Italians paid £40million for the ex-Sporting Lisbon playmaker, 24, in 2016 and would look to recoup that fee.
Despite his huge price tag, the 31-cap Portuguese international has seen himself relegated to the bench this season.
Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are also monitoring Mario's situation as the highly-rated midfielder looks to kick-start his career elsewhere.
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And goalkeeper turned pundit Shaka Hislop believes the Gunners should make a move with Mesut Ozil's future still up in the air.
He told ESPN: “At only 24-years-old, this makes sense.
“A like-for-like swap positionally. As good as Mesut Ozil has been, I’m not sure he’s worth the money that he’s been asking for or was even on the table.
“I put this down as a hit, I think it makes sense for player and club. Both players and club.
“I think it makes sense, like-for-like swap."