Jose 'Desperately Wanted' Embolo

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

The 19-year-old was snapped up by Bundesliga side Schalke on a five-year deal in June following Switzerland's elimination from Euro 2016.

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.

"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."

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.

"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."

Credit: Skysports.com