Widening chasm sees Man Utd linked with triple £180m swoop

Jose Mourinho is reportedly hoping to embark on a huge January spending spree in an effort to close the widening gulf between Manchester United and Manchester City.

Victory over Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Wednesday night means United are an impressive eight points better off than the same stage last season, but their neighbours’ iron grip on the Premier League shows no sign of abating as they won 4-0 at Swansea to maintain a 11-point advantage at the summit and claim a 15th straight Premier League win.

And according to reports, Mourinho is said to be growing increasingly concerned by the gap and will look to strengthen his squad in January in an effort to reduce the deficit.

According to Tuttosport, Mourinho has made the signing of Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic one of his top priorities and is desperate to bring the Serbian to the club as a long-term midfield partner for Paul Pogba.

The 22-year-old has recently been linked with Juventus and Manchester City, while interest from Barcelona – who are tipped to make a January move for the player if they miss out on Leon Goretzka – could push the deal up to £95million.

Lazio president Lotito, however, has recently claimed that the Old Lady ‘does not have the money’ to afford the talented midfielder, leaving United, City and Barcelona to slug it out over his services.

​Milinkovic-Savic has five goals and two assists in 19 appearances in all competitions so far this season, with Lazio having rejected a €70million bid for the midfielder last summer.

 

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United meanwhile are once again being tipped to move for Barcelona duo Samuel Umtiti and Sergi Roberto.

Spanish outlet Don Balon claims Mourinho is ready to meet the £50m buy-out clause in the contract of powerful defender Umtiti after receiving encouragement from the player that he would consider a move to Old Trafford.

Versatile star Roberto, meanwhile, would cost £35million.