Mourinho Demands United Board To Sign Willian Over Bale
Reuters / Peter Nicholls
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has told the club’s board to prioritize signing Willian instead of Gareth Bale, reports Independent.
The Welshman has been linked with United in the past, but such rumors were just run-of-the-mill stuff from the media, and nothing materialized.
But now, Los Blancos have supposedly admitted that a move this summer ‘is much likelier’ to happen, with Bale having an inconsistent season at the Santiago Bernabeu due to persistent injury problems.
Instead of gambling on that prospect though, Mourinho is determined to attempt to prise Willian away from Chelsea instead. The Brazilian has struggled for game time under Antonio Conte this season, making just 14 starts in the Premier League, while coming off the bench 19 times. Despite his failure to win a starting place in Conte’s team, the wide man has admitted that he is content at Stamford Bridge.
Mourinho is apparently in the market for a player who can play in a wide attacking position, and Willian fits the bill perfectly. The 28-year-old was the one shining lights in the Portuguese manager’s calamitous final season at Chelsea, and ended up winning the club’s player of the year that season.
However, he is currently on a contract that will run till 2020, having signed a new deal with the Blues last summer. Jose wanted Willian at Old Trafford in the 2016 summer window as well, but a move failed since he signed a contract extension.
When asked about United’s interest in him, Willian had stated: “I signed a new contract and that shows how much I want to stay. But I want to win titles.
“I have a great relationship with Jose, but I am Chelsea. When someone like him is interested in you then you are happy. But I signed because I like being a Chelsea player and I see good things here.”
It is unlikely that Chelsea will let go of Willian despite his struggle to find playing time this season, but Mourinho has never been one to give up, and will do everything he can to get his man.
Written by Reyhan Ashley Nath 
Manchester United fan, Wayne Rooney is his role model. Passionate writer who has written for several sites in the past. He’s also an aspiring pianist and creates background music for BlameFootball’s Youtube channel.