According to a recent exclusive from The Daily Star, Manchester United are set to confirm Jose Mourinho as their next manager within the next few weeks - bringing the announcement forward from the end of the season because The Special One's contract has been leaked in his native Portugal.

And the British tabloid further claim that the Red Devils plan to kick off the Mourinho era at Old Trafford by issuing him a £300million transfer budget for the coming window. United may be without the incentive of Champions League football this summer, but that's more than enough moolah to make potential transfer targets forget about Europe's top competition for a season or two.

With that in mind, Football Fancast have drawn up a list of SIX superstars Mourinho could lure to Old Trafford for precisely that sum. Well, just short actually; according to valuations recently mooted in the tabloids, this shopping list would set United back exactly £296million. That leaves £4million in short change to buy a few unknowns, splash out on a new yacht or bribe Sepp Blatter with.

ANTOINE GRIEZMANN

Manchester United are desperately crying out for added quality on the flanks and Antoine Griezmann has been an option on Jose Mourinho's radar for some time, in no small part due to him flourishing under Diego Simeone's similar ideals of organisation and opportunism at Atletico Madrid.



The France international serves as an auxiliary striker for the Mattress Makers, notching up a formidable 54 goals in 101 appearances, but made his name as Real Sociedad's talismanic wide man and is more than capable of returning to that role for the Red Devils. The 25-year-old's contract includes a £62million release clause.

N'GOLO KANTE

Combining the defensive instincts of Claude Makelele with the ferocious energy of Ramires, N'Golo Kante has emerged as the most formidable enforcer in the Premier League since arriving from Caen last summer, going on to average the most tackles, 4.5, and second-most interceptions, 4.2, per match of any player in the division whilst offering penetrative drive on the counter-attack.



Leicester City will fancy their chances of holding onto the France international, with the Premier League title all-but-mathematically theirs and Champions League on offer at the King Power Stadium next season. But the 25-year-old's contract is known to include a £20million release clause and it seems inevitable that someone will activate it during the summer.

ROMELU LUKAKU

Romelu Lukaku's career-best return of 25 goals in 40 appearances across all competitions this season, including 18 strikes in the Premier League, has seen him emerge as one of the most coveted strikers in Europe, capable of converting different types of goal through an imperious physicality that offers height, power and pace in almost equal measure.



Even though recent sources have rated him as highly as £50million, that could still prove a shrewd investment for a 22-year-old striker who already boasts 78 Premier League goals. Likewise, the Belgium international has worked with Jose Mourinho before, albeit briefly, and suits his usual template of physically-imposing frontmen.

MATS HUMMELS

Manchester United have searched far and wide for a likeminded alternative but all roads seem to inevitably lead back to Mats Hummels. The Borussia Dortmund skipper is an aerially dominant centre-half famed for his Beckenbauer-esque ability to build attacks from deep positions and offers a wealth of experience, having lifted the World Cup, two Bundesliga titles and featured in a Champions League final.



With his contract due to expire at the end of next season, it seems the Black-Yellows will almost certainly be forced to sell during the coming transfer window. But the Red Devils need to act quickly, with recent reports revealing the German international is already in talks with Bayern Munich. In the absence of coherent figures from the tabloids, FFC reckon Dortmund would settle up for around £30million.

JAMES RODRIGUEZ

Famed for claiming the Golden Boot at the 2014 World Cup, James Rodriguez hasn't quite performed to the levels expected since moving to Real Madrid in the same summer, despite a decent enough return of 20 goals and 20 assists in 53 La Liga appearances.



Nonetheless, the Colombian international is an exciting talent whose impressive output, tricky feet and stocky frame should serve him well in the Premier League.



Rumour has it Real Madrid will look to offload the 24-year-old attacking midfielder during the coming transfer window but plan to recoup the vast majority of their original investment - accordingly valuing Rodriguez at a slightly steep £60million.

PAUL POGBA

Since swapping Old Trafford for the Old Lady by way of a free transfer in summer 2012, former Manchester United youngster Paul Pogba has emerged as arguably the most formidable central midfielder in world football, combining technical trickery with an abundance of netting prowess and a powerful yet elegant 6 foot 2 frame.



The France international looks set to leave Juventus this summer, having recently lifted a fourth consecutive Serie A title, and may feel he has unfinished business with the Red Devils. The 23-year-old's £74million valuation, courtesy of agent Mino Raiola, should be well within United's financial reach this summer but with Real Madrid, Barcelona and PSG all interested, failure to qualify for the Champions League could see the Red Devils miss out.