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Jose Mourinho 'desperately' wanted Breel Embolo at Man Utd, says Schalke chief

Schalke's Breel Embolo poses during the team presentation of Schalke 04 on July 20, 2016 in Gelsenkirchen, western Germany. / AFP / PATRIK STOLLARZ
Image: Breel Embolo was a target of Jose Mourinho before being signed to Schalke

Schalke sporting director Christian Heidel claims that Jose Mourinho was desperate to sign Switzerland international Breel Embolo for Manchester United.

However, Heidel revealed in an interview with the official Bundesliga website that Embolo had been a target of the Red Devils' boss.

"There are a number of reasons why we signed Embolo," he said.

"First and foremost, there are sporting reasons. It's nothing new that he is a great player. There is a reason why Mourinho desperately wanted to sign him for Manchester United.

Jose Mourinho attends a press conference in during United's tour of China
Image: Mourinho was said to have been desperately trying to lure Embolo to Old Trafford

"But we also see him as a player the Schalke fans can identify with, a bit like Benedikt Howedes, Leroy Sane and someone like Ralf Fahrmann.

"Embolo had a similar role at Basel, where 80 per cent of the shirts they sold had his name on it. He is very open, is always smiling and makes it easy for people to like him."

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The Schalke chief said the decision to snap Embolo up so soon after the European Championship was due to the amount of interest in the teenager from top-flight clubs such as United.

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Pogba signs Man Utd shirt

Paul Pogba signed a United shirt with his name on the back

"When we realised there was a possibility that we could miss out on signing him due to other clubs' interest, we had to move fast," Heidel added.

"President Clemens Tonnies happily made his plane available. We flew out to Montpellier at 1300 CET and returned five hours later. We had wrapped up the deal in that short period."

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