Mourinho is also determined to turn Ibra into the new godfather of Old Trafford — and wants the super Swede to stay for an extra year on a further £10m deal.
The Special One goes into tomorrow’s clash against leaders Chelsea knowing he needs more firepower to make United champions again and turn them back into Champions League contenders once more.
Mourinho let 23-goal Premier League leading scorer Lukaku leave his former club to begin with, first on loan to West Brom and then Everton before he made his Goodison move permanent.
Jose Mourinho sold Lukaku to Everton from Cheslea, but wants him back as United bossGetty Images
He cost £28m then but he is now priced by Toffees boss Ronald Koeman at £70m – a record between Premier League clubs.
most read in football
DONE DEAL
Man United boss Jose Mourinho makes Espanyol's Arnau Puigmal his first summer signing
'NOT A COACH'
Arsene Wenger can't coach his way out of a paper bag and Arsenal blocked my return FOUR times, says Tony Adams
Yoko oh yes
Chelsea to ramp up bid to land Tiemoue Bakayoko for £43m and could throw in Michy Batshuayi to seal deal
NO WAY JOSE
Antoine Griezmann will STAY at Atletico Madrid and snub Man United as he 'loves Diego Simeone'
Talisman
Antonio Conte promises to build Chelsea team around Eden Hazard if Belgian signs new £300k-a-week deal
ALL WHITE FOR SOME
Manchester United train ahead of their final Premier League match... but has Paul Pogba forgotten his boots?
OUT OF THIS WORLD
David Luiz splashes out £1.1m on luxury bracelets for Chelsea team-mates to celebrate winning title… and gift for Abramovic is made from FIVE BILLION-year-old meteorite
AND HE'S WON IT
Ander Herrera bags player of the year award at Man United's lavish end of season bash hosted by Rachel Riley
Sacrifice
Man City ready to offload Kelechi Iheanacho to fund mega-move for Arsenal superstar Alexis Sanchez
Do no Ron
Inter Milan's financial power now so strong they can 'comfortably' bid for Cristiano Ronaldo, claims club director
'i felt embarrassed for the club'
Arsenal legend Tony Adams on his shock at 'disrespectful' final contract offer
Blues in Aub-it
Chelsea want Borussia Dortmund's 37-goal hero Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to replace Diego Costa
wood is drifting
Leeds United striker Chris Wood is a £20m target for a pack of Premier League clubs in summer
keep him here
Adrian signs new West Ham deal to ward off interest from Crystal Palace and Everton
Zoum off to France
Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma set for season-long loan spell with Marseille ready to make move
ONE MOUR KEEPER
Man United eyeing up Benfica goalkeeper Ederson and Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak if David de Gea leaves
Fernando chase
Chelsea and Manchester City want Swansea striker Fernando Llorente as back-up next season
WAYNING POWERS
Jose Mourinho reveals Wayne Rooney faces 'very difficult' situation as he comes to 'last part of career'
Miami Nice
David Beckham unveils new stadium plan for his Miami MLS franchise set to open in 2021
‘’No importance’
Arsene Wenger dismisses Tony Adams criticism over his coaching abilities at Arsenal
But Mourinho wants him back due to his desire to join an ambitious Champions League - as well as having the chance to almost double the £120,000 per week wages Everton are offering.
The United boss also has an ace in the pack with Rooney, 31, who has accepted his time is up at Old Trafford.
Jose Mourinho is not afraid to spend big to get United back into the position they belongRex Features
He is very open to a return to the spiritual home he left as an 18 year old for £27m in 2004.
The major problem in getting a deal over the line is Rooney’s contract, which is worth over £31m - and he still has over two years to go on his £250,000 a week contract.
Rooney is understood to be ready to accept what Everton can pay him – almost certainly the club record figure that Lukaku has rejected.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has been on fine form for United and Mourinho wants him to spearhead the new-look attackPA:Press Association Archive
But for him to move United have to come up with a severance package for their captain – at least £20m to cover those last two years of his deal.
Griezmann, meanwhile, is also open to playing under Mourinho on principle but will not leave Athletico for a club that is not in the Champions League - but United could still achieve that this season.
But with Lukaku and at least £100m of other new signings to bolster his squad, Mourinho will hope there is no question of that come this time next year.
And he hopes his willingness to buy the best at whatever cost might tempt Griezmann this summer - Champions League or not.
Leave a comment