Manchester United Transfer News: Jose Mourinho Plans Emerge, Top Rumours

Jose Mourinho has already formulated a rebuilding plan for Manchester United as the former Chelsea manager is "widely expected" to take the helm at Old Trafford from Louis van Gaal in the summer.

Italian journalist Gianluca Di Marzio (h/t Liam Corless of the Mirror) reported the self-proclaimed Special One has spent the past weeks identifying targets as he travels the globe and wants to rebuild United's central spine. Di Marzio said:

"

For Mourinho’s part, he’s been an observer, on a tour of stadiums around Europe.

He’s been looking for a quality midfielder, a central defender and a truly decisive striker for his future team.

The deal between United and Mourinho isn’t yet signed, but there’s been a sort of ‘gentleman’s agreement’, which is why he’s already working on behalf of United in a sense.

"

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Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News said one of Mourinho's primary targets is Toni Kroos of Real Madrid, who almost joined the Red Devils during David Moyes' stint in charge at Old Trafford.

Luckhurst claimed Kroos' move was blocked by Van Gaal when he arrived at the Theatre of Dreams, but he could now be recruited by Mourinho as Michael Carrick's contract expires.

The 26-year-old Germany World Cup winner has continued to appear heavily for Los Blancos, featuring 31 times in La Liga and the Champions League this season—according to WhoScored.com—but if president Florentino Perez looks to reshape his club after a lacklustre season, the ever-spinning exit door in the Spanish capital could soon begin to revolve.

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Kroos' consistency has improved in recent weeks, but Real have failed to be an effective unit, dropping points against Atletico Madrid and Malaga in the Spanish Primera Division.

Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star said United are willing to part with £40 million for Kroos in the summer, quoting a source saying the Red Devils are planning a raid.

"United want him and he's one of their main targets when the transfer window opens," the source claimed. "Real are reluctant to do business with United, but with Kroos the situation is different because he hasn't settled and could be surplus to requirements."

Cross added Real are likely to rekindle their interest in David De Gea in the summer and could use the midfielder as "bait" to tempt United's hand. 

Here is a video of Kroos at his best for the Galacticos:

Van Gaal added Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin to his midfield in the last summer window, but the centre of the park doesn't have a craftsman of Kroos' age or ability. 

Mourinho has always employed plenty of steel in his sides, but he has continued to use flair players in order to create a balance. 

Kroos would be a typical Mourinho target, and if United could take him from Madrid, it isn't difficult to imagine him operating under the ex-Real boss at the Theatre of Dreams. 

The Red Devils need to strengthen the spine from back to front, and Kroos would be an excellent addition to the jigsaw puzzle.