Jose Mourinho says Chelsea’s move for Alvaro Morata was “obvious” but insists Manchester United have a “top striker” in Romelu Lukaku.
Chelsea announced they agreed a fee with Real Madrid for Morata on Wednesday night, which Sky Sports reports to be worth an initial £58m, potentially rising to £70m.
Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid when Morata broke into their first team, and a reunion at Old Trafford had looked likely until Lukaku headed to United despite reports of a return to Stamford Bridge.
“I am not interested in what Chelsea Football Club does, really,” the United boss said in Houston, after learning of Chelsea’s deal for Morata.
“We needed a striker, yes. We needed with Zlatan (Ibrahimovic) in his best conditions, we needed one to give cover, to give options.
“Him and Marcus (Rashford) was not enough and especially after Zlatan’s injury.
“We got a big player – a player that I can compare with what he was a few years ago because he worked with me a few months four or five years ago.
“His development was very, very good, so we think we have a player that is now a top player in Europe.
“He has to prove it at the highest level, there is always that point. Now he has to do it for Manchester United, in Champions League matches but I think he has amazing qualities.
“I think it was obvious Chelsea would sign a striker, especially after the situation with the manager and Diego (Costa).
“It was clear that they were going to get a striker, they did it with Alvaro and Alvaro is a very good player for them.”
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND – JULY 05: (EXCLUSIVE COVERAGE) Manager Jose Mourinho of Manchester United speaks during a press conference after being officially unveiled as Manchester United manager at Old Trafford on July 5, 2016 in Manchester, England. (Photo by John Peters/Man Utd via Getty Images)
Manchester United are close to agreeing a fee with Inter Milan for Ivan Perisic, according to Sky Sports, although the sum has been a sticking point in protracted negotiations between the clubs.
Mourinho would ideally like to sign a further two players but has come to the terms with the fact only one may arrive in what he describes as an inflated market.
“Everybody knows because I said it, I would like four players and asked for four players,” Mourinho added.
“I’m ready to go from four to three because the market is difficult, because some clubs they think the market is different from others.
“We are not a club that is not ready to buy and buy and buy non-stop. We are not a club that is ready to pay what clubs wants us to pay, so I am ready to go from four to three.
“With these three, I just give a better balance to the team, to the squad and better conditions to compete.”
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