Jose Mourinho is being linked with a Real Madrid return this summer amid financial strife at current club Roma.
The Italian side were one of 10 clubs sanctioned by UEFA last summer, seeing €5m in prize money withheld as part of settlement agreements made with European football's governing body due to failing to fulfil break-even financial requirements. A further €35m fine could follow should Roma continue not complying with set targets over the next four years under the Financial Fair Play regulations.
It means players could be sold should Roma not reach the Champions League. Mourinho's side won the inaugural Europa Conference League last term to qualify for this season's Europa League. The capital club last qualified for the Champions League four years ago.
READ MORE: Mourinho's Rome derby controversy shows United made right move
Roma currently sit fifth in the table, one point behind Milan in fourth, after losing three of their last four fixtures. And while Champions League qualification via Serie A remains a clear possibility, another route in is through the Europa League.
Mourinho notably won the competition with Manchester United in 2017 which secured elite European football. His former club may stop him from repeating that trick this season.
The two teams are on opposite sides of the draw, meaning if each progresses through the quarter-finals and semi-finals, they will meet in Budapest at the end of May. Defeat could have huge ramifications for Mourinho and Roma in the summer transfer window.
Corriere dello Sport reports Roma could be forced into selling stars, including Tammy Abraham who was linked with United earlier this year. And that could also see Mourinho jump shop with reports suggesting he is in line to return to Real Madrid to replace Carlo Ancelotti whose future is uncertain given Barcelona are clear at the top of La Liga and the Italian has been linked with the Brazil national team job.
READ NEXT:
- Dimitar Berbatov names striker United should make their No.1 transfer target
- Erik ten Hag could soon settle on three summer transfer decisions
- One United star could help Ten Hag make Marcel Sabitzer transfer decision
- United have been handed the ideal opportunity to solve major Rashford dilemma
- All the latest United news and views
