NOT THE JUAN

Manchester United transfer news: Juan Mata could be sold by Jose Mourinho to free up funds for either Leonardo Bonucci or Raphael Varane

JOSE MOURINHO‘s summer spending-spree may not be over after all.

The new Manchester United boss, 53, has splashed the cash on Paul PogbaHenrikh Mkhitaryan, Eric Bailly and Zlatan Ibrahimovic but is eager to strengthen his defensive options.

Reuters
Mata was hauled off by Mourinho in the Community Shield despite him coming on as sub

News Group Newspapers Ltd
Jose sold Mata to United whilst he was at Chelsea

And Juan Mata may be the man sold to fund this final foray into the transfer market.

, the players Mourinho has his eye on are Juventus’ Leonardo Bonucci and Real Madrid’s Raphael Varane.

PA:Press Association
Sources indicate that United have already approached Juventus over Bonnuci

Mata has been sold once before by Jose – at Chelsea – and was substituted after coming on at half-time in the Community Shield against Leicester, which resulted in a touchline row with the boss.

The Spaniard is a target for Everton, who have money to spend following the bumper sale of John Stones to Manchester City.

Getty Images
Varane would have to make do without the Champions League at Old Trafford

There are several players whose time looks to be up at Old Trafford as Mourinho clears out the deadwood from Louis van Gaal‘s failed era.

Bastian SchweinsteigerAdnan Januzaj and Mata are all at threat as the Portuguese makes his mark on the United side, but he feels that another centre-back will complete his summer rebuild.

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Januzaj has failed to nail down a starting place at Old Trafford

Bonucci has been a target for Chelsea throughout the summer but a move has never materialised – with Manchester City also after the Italian.

He was in outstanding form during Euro 2016 and looked set to join up with Antonio Conte – but it is claimed by ESPN that United have already enquired Juventus about him.

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Varane missed France’s Euro campaign through injury and again Madrid have been contacted about his services – with first-team action the pull that Jose can offer him at Old Trafford.

United kick-off their Premier League campaign away at Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth on Sunday.

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