Reports are out that former Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who is one of the prime candidates to replace Louis van Gaal at Manchester United, is "considering a role in China" as the Chinese Super League continues its quest for world football dominance.
The Mirror indicated that the 53-year-old Mourinho is currently "in talks over shock move" to the China top flight as the owners of its clubs are optimistic that the mere presence of the former Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager in Asia will continue CSL's "swift rise".
It was also noted that after Jiangsu Suning's £38 million signing of former Shakhtar Donetsk attacking midfielder Alex Teixeira last Friday, CSL clubs have now eclipsed the winter transfer expenditures of those in the English Premier League with a combined expense of a whopping £194.2 million.
At this time, it looks like the Chinese football onslaught is not about to stop as the teams now set their sights on hiring Mourinho as a chief consultant for the league itself.
Mourinho and his agent, Jorge Mendes, were allegedly in Shanghai last January for an appointment with Alisports CEO Zhang Dazhong. The details of the meeting are said to be undisclosed, but rumors were out that both parties have discussed the Portuguese bench strategist's possible future role within the CSL.
Allegedly, Chinese football bosses would agree "to create a role specifically for the former Real Madrid boss, which will involve him offering advice on how to improve and develop the sport in China."
What is more interesting is that the Special One is apparently considering the offer as the other party said that it would be "an agreement very much on his terms".
Mourinho reportedly said that he does not want a managerial commitment in China because he does intend to coach again in the Premier League if given the opportunity, which could be good news to Manchester United.
Daily Mail Online reported that Mourinho "has designs on the Manchester United job should Louis van Gaal depart, and a role in the Far East may impact on his chances of a role at Old Trafford".
There were speculations that van Gaal is set to exit United at the end of the season and the club is already creating a short list of potential replacements.