Man Utd news: Jose Mourinho wants to sign defender Jose Gimenez from Atletico Madrid

MANCHESTER UNITED will need to see off Italian giants Juventus if they want to land Atletico Madrid central defender Jose Gimenez.

Jose GimenezGETTY

Jose Gimenez is attracting the interest of a number of top clubs

Jose Mourinho is keen on signing the Uruguayan international who had a £60 million release clause inserted into his contract when he extended it until 2021 last summer.

The 22 year-old will be a top target for Mourinho but now Juventus who were monitoring him during the last transfer window have rekindled their interest.

Gimenez has struggled to hold down a first team place for the La Liga outfit this season and Atletico could do business without the release clause being activated.

Mourinho also kept tabs on Gimenez last season but in the end opted to sign Victor Lindelof from Benfica instead of the South American.

Atletico were also under a transfer embargo last summer so would have been unable to sign a replacement but that ban will be lifted in the New Year.

Gimenez has spent the last four years in the Spanish capital after starting his professional career in his homeland with Danubio.

Would you like to receive news notifications from Daily Express?