Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Marco Verratti, N'Golo Kante Rumours

Jose Mourinho will reportedly offer €100 million for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, as he bids to add an intelligent playmaker to a new-look Manchester United midfielder.

Italian publication Corriere dello Sport (h/t the Daily Star's Alex Harris) provided some details: "It is claimed that United target Zlatan Ibrahimovic wants PSG pal Verratti to join him at Old Trafford. However, PSG chiefs intend to keep hold of the Italy international."

It's no wonder PSG would want to keep Verratti in the fold. The 23-year-old is a cerebral schemer who plays between the lines with polished technique and a varied range of passing.

Perhaps it would surprise some that Mourinho, often viewed as a defensive-minded manager, would invest so heavily in a possession player, but there is precedent for his interest.

When he guided Chelsea to the Premier League title in the 2014-15 season, Mourinho built a stylish team around the brains and quality of Spanish pass-master Cesc Fabregas. His Real Madrid teams also played a slick brand of football that made a star out of languid creator Mesut Ozil.

Verratti isn't the first midfield maestro linked with a move to United this summer since Mourinho took over at Old Trafford. Earlier this month, Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News reported how the Portuguese coach wanted crafty flair player Miralem Pjanic.

Yet, the AS Roma star appears set for a switch to Serie A champions Juventus, instead, according to Italian sources Tuttosport and La Gazzetta dello Sport (h/t the Guardian).

Fabio Muzzi/Associated Press

Despite the hefty fee, Verratti could be the young creator Mourinho needs to really kick-start his makeover of United's midfield.

United in the Queue for N'Golo Kante

Now for a different type of midfielder, as United have been added to the list of clubs reportedly interested in Leicester City destroyer N'Golo Kante, according to Steve Stammers of the Daily Mirror.

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He stated Mourinho is ready to pay £22 million for the French holding player but will have to fend off PSG, along with Premier League rivals Arsenal and Chelsea.

Yet despite the growing queue of suitors, the Foxes are determined to keep Kante. To that end, the Premier League champions have reportedly offered Kante a new contract paying £100,000 a week, per Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph.

It makes sense to credit Mourinho with interest in a tough-tackling player who can expertly shield the back four. His first title-winning Chelsea teams were underpinned by Claude Makelele's miserly brilliance at the base of midfield.

Kante's recent performance for France at UEFA Euro 2016 even reminded Squawka of the former Chelsea great:

Mourinho' desire for a defensive-minded midfielder has seen him already linked with Chelsea stalwart Nemanja Matic, according to MailOnline's Jack Gaughan.

The new United chief has already given 34-year-old deep-lying playmaker Michael Carrick a new contract, insisting the veteran still has an important role to play, per BBC Sport's Simon Stone:

With Morgan Schneiderlin also still on the books, United's need for a defensive midfielder is not as great as it appears.

Remaking an inconsistent midfield is an obvious priority for Mourinho ahead of the new season, but finding a forward-thinking playmaker he trusts should come before acquiring a defensive shield.