Home Football Karim Benzema identified as Mourinho’s top target

Karim Benzema identified as Mourinho’s top target

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Jose Mourinho has set his primary target for his first move to Manchester United as Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic is also said to be close to agreeing a move to Old Trafford as a free agent in order to be reunited with Mourinho after enjoying a close relationship with the Portuguese at Inter Milan.

Although the 28-year-old frenchman has previously accused the former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Boss of being overly-critical of his performances during their three years together at Real, Benzema has since admitted that Mourinho’s treatment made him a better player.

“Mourinho criticised me,” Benzema said. “But it was his way of making me react. At the start, it hurt me, but I am used to it now.”

Benzema originally rejected and offer from Manchester United before joining Real Madrid back in 2009, and under Jose Mourinho alone scored 79 goals in 150 appearances and was regarded as a key figure by the manager during his spell at the Bernabeu.

The Star French International is currently negotiating a new deal at Real that would see him extend his ÂŁ150,000-a-week contract until 2020, and another stumbling block for the deal is the issue of the player facing a potential court case in France after being charged with conspiracy to blackmail last November over an alleged attempt to extort money from Lyon winger Mathieu Valbuena using a sex tape. Benzema denies the charge.

With Mourinho also keen to recruit Everton centre-half John Stones and PSG defender Marquinhos, United are expected to spend in excess of ÂŁ150m on new players this summer in order to ensure that the team can compete to regain the Premier League title next season, after Leicester City pulled off their historic title win.

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