Manchester United Transfer News: Jose Mourinho Budget, Zlatan Ibrahimovic Talk

Jose Mourinho will reportedly have £200 million to spend in the transfer market this summer and is aiming to make Zlatan Ibrahimovic his first "major" capture—and the Swede is seemingly edging toward a move now the Special One looks set to replace Louis van Gaal.

According to the Daily Star's Chris McKenna, Mourinho will also be allowed "to spend anything he brings in on player sales to turn the Old Trafford club into a force again," with Ibrahimovic representing his "top target."

ESPN's Alex Shaw believes the Portuguese will inherit a stronger foundation from Van Gaal than his predecessors:

Nevertheless, after missing out on UEFA Champions League football—and with their rivals likely to improve this summer—it's clear there's much work to be done this summer. That starts with their attack, as the Red Devils could only muster 49 Premier League goals in the 2015-16 campaign.

French outlet L'Equipe (h/t French football journalist Jonathan Johnson) reported Paris Saint-Germain striker Ibrahimovic appears receptive to a move

Per B/R UK, his record in the French capital speaks for itself:

   Even against the higher calibre of opponents in the Premier League, it seems likely Ibrahimovic would still amass a healthy number of goals for United.

Further, his infectious confidence and swagger would go some way to restoring the aura the Red Devils enjoyed under Sir Alex Ferguson.

What would further help Mourinho and the club is that with Ibrahimovic a free agent, the only expenditure that will need to be devoted to his capture will be his wages—while his salary is likely to be significant, it will still allow them to bring in a world-class player and have a huge amount of money to spend.

He could even be set to take up a surprising role at United, as Jennifer Wegerup and Fredrik Jonsson of Swedish outlet Sportsbladet (h/tCharlie Phillippe of the Express) reported he could become Mourinho's No. 2 as well as taking to the field.

The 34-year-old would undoubtedly be one of the biggest voices in the dressing room, and his achievements throughout his career would likely command his team-mates' respect. It could also put him on the path to management as he approaches the end of his career.

Even after winning the FA Cup on Saturday, the prospect of entering another season with Van Gaal is not one that would have been enjoyed by many United fans. 

However, if Mourinho and Ibrahimovic can be brought in, that outlook will most likely shift significantly and bring a real sense of excitement back to Old Trafford. More importantly, their arrivals would bring back the club's winning mentality.

Credit: bleacherreport