It's as good as in the bag now. Reports have emerged that Jose Mourinho has signed a pre-contract agreement to replace Louis van Gaal as Manchester United manager at the end of the season.
The commitment to the former Chelsea manager is such that Manchester United will pay Mourinho a staggering £5m if he has not signed a full contract by May 1.
That figure will rise to a whopping £10m if the contract is not signed, sealed and delivered by June 1.
This leaves United very little wiggle room and is a clear indication that they intent to announce that Mourinho is coming to Old Trafford before the Premier League season ends.
Spanish newspaper El Pais is claiming that the deal is done.
They quote a source from Gestifute, the company owned by Mourinho's agent Jorge Mendes, as saying that he will be confirmed sooner rather than later and he will begin plotting his transfer business straight away.
“If United do not sign the final contract (with Mourinho) before May 1st, they must pay £5m; If by June 1st he’s still not signed, they shall pay another £10m,” the report claims.
“May is the key, because it’s the month in which the vast majority of the signings of players are closed and the plans formed.”
One of Mourinho's first transfer targets is said to be the Tottenham striker Harry Kane.
Whatever happens we are certainly in for a very entertaining few months at Old Trafford. Off the pitch at least.
