Mourinho wants 21-year-old Spaniard to replace Mkhitaryan

Man United boss Jose Mourinho will be looking to solve his Henrikh Mkhitaryan headache by signing Valencia midfielder Carlos Soler this January, according to Don Balon.

Mkhitaryan has fallen out with Mourinho this season with the Portuguese accusing the creative Amenian of disappearing in games while Soler has climbed the Valencia ranks to become a permanent name on the first-team sheet of Marcelino Toral.

And now, Marcos Rodriquez of Don Balon claims that Mourinho sees Soler as the perfect man to take some of the load off Paul Pogba’s shoulders in midfield. This would come at a cost though as Soler has a release clause of €80 million following his contract renewal in May last year.

Mourinho has a few tricks up his sleeve, however, as he has the option of player-exchange-plus-cash deal involving either Mkhitaryan or Juan Mata, who he sold to United from Chelsea in 2014. 

Valencia’s financial trouble in recent years could also play in United’s favour who can end up getting Soler for no more than €45 million.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sr_BeyGhgto

The Sun reported in October that negotiations had already started, but things have quieted down a bit since then – apparently it is likely the stillness before the storm.

That Soler fits into Mourinho’s plans nicely is no secret. He is a very adaptable type of midfielder with keen footballing intelligence – all qualities Mourinho values. Apart from giving Pogba a partner in midfield, Soler’s adaptability could provide United with a safe net should Maroune Fellaini, Ander Herrera and Michael Carick choose to part ways with the club as their in their final year of their contracts.

Soler’s current deal with Valencia expires in 2021.