Real Madrid beat Man Utd to land £43m Eder Militao - Is Jose Mourinho the reason why?
REAL MADRID have beaten Manchester United to the signing of Eder Militao for a fee of £43m.
Posted Friday, March 15, 2019 by Dailystar.co.uk
The Porto defender has been a major target for both sides over recent months after impressive performances in Portugal's top flight.
Militao first attracted interest from Manchester United when Jose Mourinho was in charge of the club.
But the Red Devils have missed out after Madrid released official confirmation of the deal this morning.
The player is another defensive target that United have missed out on in recent months.
But would Jose Mourinho have made a difference?
According to Brazilian outlet UOL Esporte back in late 2018, United were in pole position to land Militao due to the fact Mourinho had personally called to enquire about the player's availability.
The report stated that the Portuguese's relationship with Porto meant they were at the front of the queue to strike a deal - however, Mourinho's Old Trafford dismissal in mid-December may have handed the advantage to Madrid in the hunt for the defender.
Militao's move adds to what has been a busy week for Madrid thanks to:
Eder Miliato has signed for Real Madrid (Pic: Getty)
Eder Militao has been signed by Real Madrid (Pic: Getty)
Eder Militao had been chased by Manchester United (Pic: Getty)
Militao will join in the summer for a fee of around €50m (£43m), according to Spanish outlet Sport.
Madrid have wasted no time preparing for the future, just days after Zinedine Zidane returned to the club.
The Frenchman resigned last summer but has seen Los Blancos struggle under both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari since.
Jose Mourinho is said to have had first refusal on the player (Pic: Getty)
Zidane is expected to oversee a huge overhaul of his first-team squad in the coming months.
As for United, it's back to the drawing board in the hunt for a new central defender.
The Red Devils have again been linked with a move for Toby Alderweireld this week.
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