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Manchester United Jose Mourinho wants Argentina defender Ezequiel Garay

Old Trafford giants will go head-to-head with Italian side Inter for defender former Chelsea manager sold while at Real Madri

Ezequiel Garay FC Zenit Saint Petersburg

Jose Mourinho is reportedly interested in signing a player he once sold from Real Madrid.

Manchester United are looking at Zenit St Petersburg centre-back Ezequiel Garay — but will face serious competition from Inter Milan.

 Manchester United and Inter Milan want Zenit St Petersburg's Ezequiel Garay
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Manchester United and Inter Milan want Zenit St Petersburg's Ezequiel GarayCredit: Getty Images

The Argentinian defender has been frequently linked with a move to Old Trafford since his Benfica.

And claim Mourinho is monitoring the player, who could be available for around £15million.

Italian giants, Inter, are also interested in Garay, according to , but cannot compete with United financially.

 Ezequiel Garay in action for Zenit St Petersburg against former club, Benfica
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Ezequiel Garay in action for Zenit St Petersburg against former club, BenficaCredit: Getty Images
 Ezequiel Garay in action for Argentina against Belgium at 2014 World Cup
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Ezequiel Garay in action for Argentina against Belgium at 2014 World CupCredit: EFE

Mourinho has already brought a central defender to Old Trafford in the form of Ivorian, Eric Bailly, but is keen to reinforce is backline.

And he appears to have changed his view on a player he once deemed not good enough for Real Madrid.

Inter’s financial frailty means they would need to sell first-choice defender, Jeison Murillo, in order to afford Garay, but would only let the Colombian — who has also been linked with United — go for a similar price to the Argentine.

 Ezequiel Garay (No.2) started for Argentina in the 2014 World Cup final
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Ezequiel Garay (No.2) started for Argentina in the 2014 World Cup finalCredit: Getty Images
 Ezequiel Garay in action for Real Madrid against Valencia back in 2011
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Ezequiel Garay in action for Real Madrid against Valencia back in 2011Credit: Getty Images

Garay, 29, shot to prominence when he moved to Real Madrid in 2008.

However, he found himself fourth-choice centre-back under Mourinho and was sold to Benfica in 2011 for a meagre £4m.

Garay won the league title and was a Europa League runner up twice during his three seasons in Lisbon.

He was constantly linked with moves to some of the continent’s biggest clubs — including United — but eventually joined Zenit in 2014.

Garay carried on his impressive displays in Russia, winning league title and domestic cup.

He has won 32 Argentina caps and was selected in 2014 World Cup squad — starting the final defeat against Germany.

Garay was also part of his country’s Olympic gold medal-winning team of 2008.

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