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Hot Football Transfer Gossip: Mata, Fellaini, Icardi, Toure, Hernandez

There are a variety of reactions a footballer can have to finding out Jose Mourinho is set to become their direct line manager. For many players, the chance to work with one of the world’s most revered tacticians will realise a lifetime’s ambition. Others will be excited but apprehensive about Mourinho’s man-management skills. And then in a category of his own, we have Juan Mata.

The Sun reports that Manchester United’s squad is “split” over the prospect of Mourinho replacing Louis van Gaal. Which is one way of saying that Mata has already started packing his suitcase while tears rolls down his stubbly cheeks as news of Mourinho’s appointment filters through. Under the Special One’s guidance at Chelsea, the Spanish midfielder was transformed from star player to outcast. So his prospects at Old Trafford, where he isn’t even the star player, look even grimmer.

And just in case Mata was holding out hope that Mourinho has changed his mind, the Mail confirms that he hasn’t. The Portuguese’s first act as United boss will apparently be to ensure that Mata, along with Maraoune Fellaini, are sold. So at least Mata has Fellaini to give him a hug and help him fold his T-shirts while he packs his case.

Some United fans will hope that Mourinho replaces Mata and Fellaini with slightly sexier signings that the ones they are being linked with today.

These include Benfica winger Nicolas Gaitan, who Talksport says was the subject of a failed £23m bid from United in January, and Sevilla midfielder Ever Banega, who Italian media say will be offered a £3.5m-a-year Old Trafford contract.

Also linked is Mauro Icardi, who Tuttosport say will be sold by Inter Milan for £35m if the Serie A giants fail to qualify for the Champions League. However, it doesn’t mention that Icardi might not fancy moving to a United side that also hasn’t qualified for the Champions League.

Inter boss Roberto Mancini is also keen on bringing his former Manchester City stars, Yaya Toure and Pablo Zabaleta, to the San Siro, according to the Mirror. But not if he doesn’t qualify for the Champions League, presumably.

Meanwhile, Jurgen Klopp has demanded that Liverpool’s board get him Javier Hernandez as soon as is humanly possible (Metro) and Chelsea will refuse to let Loic Remy move to China until they have played Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League (Standard).

In other China news, Phil Jagielka is the latest “big name” to be targeted by unspecified Far Eastern football men (Sun) and Emmanuel Emenike is wanted by Shanghai Shenhua despite only signing for West Ham literally last week (Mirror).

@darlingkevin