Mourinho targets Inter wizard to replace Mkhitaryan

Bengaluru, December 14: Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is lining up a move for his compatriot and Inter Milan ace Joao Mario to replace flop Henrikh Mkhitaryan, according to reports in England.

The Armenian winger has played just once since the Red Devils' 1-0 defeat at Chelsea on November 5 which was a 19-minute cameo in the clash with Brighton.

Italian media outlet Corriere dello Sport claim Mario is being lined up as a January replacement after Mkhitaryan was dropped from the squad for the Manchester derby.

It has been suggested the former Borussia Dortmund star has demanded showdown talks with his boss over the snub.

Corriere dello Sport also claim that Mkhitaryan could go on loan to Milan for the rest of the season to tempt Inter to sell.

The Italians paid £40million for the ex-Sporting Lisbon playmaker, 24, in 2016 and would be looking to recoup that fee.

Despite his huge price tag, the 31-cap Portuguese international has seen himself relegated to the bench this season under Luciano Spaletti while his team have been doing really well.

Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal are also monitoring Mario’s situation as the highly-rated midfielder looks to kick-start his career elsewhere but Mourinho's presence could tempt the midfielder to join Manchester United.

Arsenal, meanwhile, want the Portuguese international to replace Mesut Ozil who looks certain to leave Arsenal at the end of the season.

Both Ozil and Sanchez are going out of contract at the Emirates at the end of the season and Arsenal have not managed to tie them down with a new deal.

Both of them are wanted by a host of clubs with Ozil being eyed by Mourinho as well . The duo shares a cordial relationship from their time together at Real Madrid and could once again reunite at Old Trafford.