Mourinho goes shopping

LONDON. — Jose Mourinho’s rebuilding job at Manchester United began when Ivory Coast central defender Eric Bailly became his first signing yesterday, joining from Spanish side Villarreal.

The 22-year-old signed a four-year contract with an option for two more years, a club statement said.

No fee was disclosed although media reports said United had agreed a deal of about 25 million pounds with the Spanish La Liga side.

“Eric is a young central defender with great natural talent. He has progressed well to date and has the potential to become one of the best around,” former Chelsea manager Mourinho, who replaced Dutchman Louis van Gaal last month, said.

“We look forward to working with him to help nurture that raw talent.”

Bailly has 15 caps for Ivory Coast and was part of their 2015 Africa Cup of Nations-winning squad.

He played 47 times for Villarreal after joining in 2015 from Espanyol, impressing in a back four that conceded only 35 goals in 38 La Liga matches last season and reached the Europa League semi-finals, losing to Liverpool.

“I want to progress to be the best that I can be and I believe working with Jose Mourinho will help me develop in the right way and at the right club,” said Bailly, who will likely partner England’s Chris Smalling in central defence next season.

The capture of Bailly marks the first of an expected flurry of signings by Mourinho as he seeks to restore the fortunes of the 20-times English champions who won the FA Cup last season but finished fifth in the Premier League.

United, who will play in the Europa league after missing out on Champions League place, are also favourites to sign Sweden striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic while Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba has also been linked with a move to Old Trafford.

Ibrahimovic will follow Bailly to United at some point this summer, according to Sky sources.

Mourinho is expected to land superstar striker Ibrahimovic on a free transfer, with his Paris Saint-Germain contract expiring at the end of the month.

And the new United boss is also eyeing a shock move to bring former midfielder Pogba back to Old Trafford.

According to the Daily Star, United have moved into pole position to sign Pogba in a huge £78m deal.

It is said United’s rivals Manchester City have ruled themselves out of the race for the France international.

Pogba is thought to favour a move to Spain should he leave Juventus this summer, with Barcelona and Real Madrid linked.

But the Star report Pogba is Mourinho’s top midfield target having failed to sign him for Chelsea last season.

The 23-year-old left United for Juventus on a free transfer in 2012 after falling out with then manager Sir Alex Ferguson.

And Sweden hero Ibrahimovic could make it a blockbuster trio of signings at United.

Ibrahimovic has kept fans guessing over his next move, admitting he enjoys the speculation.

But the 34-year-old looks all set to join his former Inter Milan manager Mourinho at United.

Reports suggest the deal could be delayed because of a clause in Ibrahimovic’s PSG contract. — Sky Sports.