Chelsea defender Kurt ‘Happy’ Zouma has emerged as a shock summer target for Jose Mourinho and his Manchester United side, according to reports.
The Sun are claiming that Manchester United are eyeing a shock summer move for a Chelsea defender. Kurt ‘Happy’ Zouma is being eyed by Jose Mourinho as he seeks to strengthen his backline for the coming campaign.
The Portuguese is reportedly set to axe Phil Jones and Chris Smalling from the Manchester United squad in the summer and with Marcos Rojo out with an ACL injury, Mourinho will have only Eric Bailly as the only recognisable natural centre-back option.
Kurt Zouma arrived at Chelsea in 2014 amidst much anticipation and intrigue surrounding his talent. And under Jose Mourinho, the player had slowly began gaining more and more prominence within the first-team setup at Stamford Bridge.
However, post-Mourinho, a long-term injury kept him out for a long while and after returning to fitness, he has found himself playing a very diminished role in the first-team setup under Antonio Conte, despite the Italian option for 3-man central defence.
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Chelsea defender Kurt Zouma is a shock target for Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho. pic.twitter.com/g5ngEstVvd
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And with Chelsea eyeing potential addition in Zouma’s position in the summer, the Frenchman is likely to be deemed surplus to requirements – something which could drive the defender out of the club in search of regular playing time.
Jose Mourinho is looking to pounce on the opportunity by bringing Zouma over to Old Trafford. The Portuguese would be able to provide him with the assurance of being a regular part of the first-team setup and Zouma would love to reunite with the manager who gave him his break at Chelsea.
The towering centre-back is technically adept and could be the perfect partner to the commanding presence of Eric Bailly at the back. Also, at 22, the player could provide United with the prospect of a central defender who can boss the position for atleast a decade.
Zouma, though, is not the only Chelsea player linked with a move to Manchester United. Willian has also being linked with a summer move to Manchester United out of the same need of regular playing time.
However, John Terry is set to exit the club in the summer and unless Antonio Conte can land his desired targets in the position, the club is unlikely to let the player leave – let alone to Manchester United – after the success the Red Devils have achieved from the last transfer between the club – Juan Mata.
