Jose Mourinho is plotting a fresh transfer raid for Wilfried Zaha - a decade after first expressing an interest in the Crystal Palace star.
The 'Special One' was first credited with an interest in Zaha in 2012, with the forward playing a starring role in the Eagles' promotion push to the Premier League. Mourinho was in charge of Real Madrid at this time, with reports suggesting Arsenal and Manchester United were both mulling over a move.
Fast forward 10 years, and the now Roma boss is said to have revived this interest in the 29-year-old. Italian outlet TuttoMercatoWeb claim 'progress' has been made on talks over a Serie A switch for Zaha.
Zaha is set to enter the final year of his contract at Selhurst Park, and has been the subject of repeated transfer speculation in recent seasons. The Gunners were linked once again before opting to sign Nicolas Pepe in a club-record deal in 2019, while Everton reportedly failed in a deadline-day bid.
Zaha enjoyed another impressive campaign, managing a return of 14 top-flight goals as Patrick Vieira's side secured a 12th-placed finish and reached an FA Cup semi-final. However, reports in April suggested Palace could be 'open to offers' for their talisman in the summer window.
Mourinho's initial interest in Zaha ultimately proved fruitless, as the Palace prospect sealed a move to United in January 2013. However, it proved to be a frustrating spell for the promising forward, and he would leave having made just two Premier League appearances for the Red Devils.
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Zaha was Sir Alex Ferguson's final signing at Old Trafford, but his time at the club came to a brutal end under Louis van Gaal. The forward later claimed he was 'set up to fail' under the Dutchman, and would complete an initial loan return to Palace in August 2014 before the move was made permanent.
It meant that Mourinho was once again deprived of the opportunity of working with Zaha when he was appointed as the new United boss in May 2016. The former Chelsea boss would lead the Red Devils to a Europa League and a League Cup, as well as a second-placed finish, before his dismissal in December 2018.
A poor spell at Tottenham followed, where Mourinho was sacked just days before a League Cup final against Manchester City. Now, the 59-year-old is working on rehabilitating his bruised reputation with his second stint in Serie A.
Mourinho has ended Roma's 11-year trophy drought in his first season with the club, guiding the club to Europa Conference League success with victory over Feyenoord in the final. The Giallorossi will compete in next season's Europa League following a sixth-placed finish in Serie A.
Mourinho has already enjoyed success in recruiting from the Premier League, with Tammy Abraham enjoying an outstanding debut campaign. The former Chelsea striker has been reborn after falling out of favour under Thomas Tuchel, and has forced his way back into contention for England with the World Cup just four months away.
Ainsley Maitland-Niles had a mixed spell on loan from Arsenal last season, but Zaha could become the latest Premier League star to follow Mourinho to the Italian capital. However, it is unclear at this stage whether Roma have managed to agree a fee with Palace for the forward.
