Manchester United were linked with a move for Tottenham defender Toby Alderweireld this summer.
The club are willing to give Mourinho funds in the January window, but only if the Portuguese moves for targets that represent value for money.
The Red Devils believe Alderweireld falls into this bracket as by the new year the 29-year-old will only have six months remaining on his current deal and therefore could be available for a knockdown price.
Spurs do have the option to automatically extend the Belgium international’s contract by a further year, but that would also activate a £25m release clause – far less than what the club value him at.
Ahead of January, Mourinho will sit down with vice-chairman Ed Woodward to discuss his targets and a maximum price set out for each.
How much they are willing to spend on Alderweireld remains to be seen, but this does seem to be a vote of confidence for the United boss after a tricky summer and start to the new season.
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