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Manchester United submit £53m bid to sign Nikola Milenkovic after Jose Mourinho scouts Fiorentina defender

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Nikola Milenkovic is wanted by Manchester United (Getty Images)

Manchester United have submitted a €60 million (£53m) bid to sign Fiorentina centre-back Nikola Milenkovic, according to reports in Italy.

Jose Mourinho clashed with Uniteds hierarchy over the need to sign a new defender this summer with his requests to sign Toby Alderweireld and Harry Maguire blocked by the club.

The United boss remains keen to reinforce his defence and has taken matters into his own hands during the international break as he personally watched Milenkovic in action during Serbias win over Montenegro on Thursday evening.

According to La Nazione, Mourinhos desire to sign Milenkovic is so strong that he immediately got in touch with Uniteds hierarchy after returning to Manchester.

And United have now put a €60m (£53m) offer on the table to Fiorentina ahead of the January transfer window.

Manchester United's manager Jose Mourinho, left, speaks with Montenegrin ex soccer player Predrag Mijatovic prior the UEFA Nations League soccer match between Montenegro and Serbia at the City stadium in Podgorica, Montenegro, Thursday Oct. 11, 2018. (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic) — Jose Mourinho watched Milenkovic in action for Serbia (AP Photo/Risto Bozovic)

United have also spoken to the 21-year-olds agent, who has indicated that the defender would be willing to move to Old Trafford.

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Fiorentina, however, have rejected Uniteds bid and are keen to keep the Serbia international until the end of the summer as his price could increase even further.