Saturday 1 April 2017 07:58, UK
Jose Mourinho says he is sure Manchester United will have conducted some "interesting" transfer business by the end of the summer.
The Portuguese has confirmed he has already discussed a number of summer targets with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, with United reportedly interested in signing Atletico Madrid's Antoine Griezmann.
However, Mourinho acknowledged it is not always possible to secure first-choice transfer targets and admitted he has identified alternative options if that turns out to be the case.
Ahead of Saturday's Premier League clash with West Brom at Old Trafford, he said: "I'm sure, at the end of the summer, probably we won't have exactly my first options, because it's difficult to succeed in every attempt.
"But I'm sure we're going to do something interesting and something to improve our team for next season.
"I'm not a silly manager to say I give the names and you have to give me the players - not at all.
"I give the names, I give the options, I give the second options in case the first options are not possible, but I give all the information based on my analysis, my experience and projections for the future."
France international Griezmann has previously spoken about concerns over English weather but Mourinho insists that he will only target those with a strong desire to play for United and suggested anyone who may have reservations about the local weather should think about moving to sunnier climes.
"If a player wants to move to London, enjoy London - we don't want you," Mourinho said. "If the first thing you think is where you're going to live, well, think Los Angeles.
"[LA] Galaxy would be the first choice and then Vitoria Setubal, go to the beach every day. There are beautiful places to live and to play. We want people who are really engaged with the first contact.
"We want people that, if I call some guy or if Mr Woodward calls some player or some agent, we want people who are immediately engaged, immediately dreaming about coming. This is the profile of players we want. If you don't want to come to us, good luck, enjoy your other club."
United, who are fifth, enter the weekend four points off of nearest rivals Liverpool in the Premier League, albeit boasting two games in hand, as they chase a top-four spot and a Europa League title as they bid to ensure Champions League qualification for next season.
"We have things still to play for," Mourinho said. "I can say that if we are not fighting for the top four, if we are not fighting to try to win the Europa League, I would say it's a great moment to forget this season and to do everything thinking about next season. That's not the case because every match now for us is a big match.
"Europa League is play quarter-final or go home, in the Premier League one more match, one more victory we are in the run. One defeat maybe you are not in the run anymore, so we just have to think about this season now."
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