Manchester United blow in pursuit of top transfer target

Napoli midfielder Jorginho has suggested he would be open to moving to the Premier League but only to teams that play a certain type of football.

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is understood to have identified Jorginho as a top transfer target.

Mourinho has made strengthening his midfield his priority this summer in a bid to bring the best out of Paul Pogba next season.

The Portuguese will be encouraged to hear that Jorginho is open to moving to the Premier League, but the way United play may not appeal to the Napoli ace.

“I think the Premier League suits my game, but it also depends on who I have next to me because I need to be surrounded by players with certain characteristics,” he told reporters after Italy’s 1-1 draw with England on Tuesday, via Football Italia.

“There are teams in England who play the football I like, keeping the ball on the ground, playing a quick game with one-twos, pressing their opponents high up the pitch.

“If one of these clubs were interested in me, I’d adapt to them well and they could adapt to my way of playing, which isn’t so common.

“It depends on how many opportunities you have. If you have only one option then you don’t have a choice.

“If you have more than one then you can choose the one that’s right for you, your style of play and characteristics.”

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is also considering a summer move for Jorginho after identifying the Italy international as a potential replacement for Emre Can.

Klopp’s interest could be a hammer blow for United’s chances of landing the highly rated midfielder, as their style of play would certainly be more appealing to the Italian.

No player in Europe’s top five leagues averages more passes per game than Jorginho this season (97.3).