Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Joao Mario and Juan Mata Rumours

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in Portugal star Joao Mario and could "hijack" Chelsea's move for him.

According to Pilar Lopez of Spanish outlet Fichajes (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star), the Special One has been monitoring the 23-year-old, whom the Blues also want.

Further, Claudio Colla of TransferMarketWeb reported the midfielder has a £51 million release clause but could be available at £34 million.

Mario can play centrally or on the wing and featured in all seven of the Selecao's games as they won UEFA Euro 2016.

According to Squawka, he created 11 chances in that time, with one being converted into an assist, and completed 10 take-ons.

Football journalist Graham Hunter was unimpressed with him, however:

Nevertheless, he had a strong domestic season with Sporting Lisbon, netting seven goals and accruing 12 assists in Liga NOS and the Europa League.

Bleacher Report UK's Sam Tighe is an admirer:

His club also recognised his form, per Portuguese football writer Jan Hagen:

Mario could be a useful player for United thanks to his energy and versatility, but the fees reported—even if they are significantly lower than his release clause—make him a serious gamble.

Meanwhile, Juan Mata has seemingly moved to put an end to speculation linking him with a switch away from Old Trafford.

According to Metro's Tom Olver, the Spaniard has been rumoured to be leaving following Mourinho's arrival—the manager controversially sold him while at Chelsea—in particular linked with Ronald Koeman's Everton, but the Spaniard seems to have put them to bed:

Kevin Palmer of the Sunday World and Samuel Luckhurst of the Manchester Evening News believe Henrikh Mkhitaryan's arrival could have serious implications for the 28-year-old:

Indeed, unless he starts ahead of Wayne Rooney, it's difficult to imagine Mata commanding a starting berth with United now that the Armenian has come to claim his position on the right side.

Nevertheless, he remains a fine player—a playmaker with his creativity and technique is also going to be useful to have around.