Man United plot signing of a Chelsea midfielder

Jose Mourinho is ready to swoop for his old Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas.

New Manchester United boss Mourinho is waiting to find out whether the Spaniard survives Antonio Conte’s shake-up, with the incoming Stamford Bridge manager closing in on Leicester's N'Golo Kante.

Italian Conte is also refusing to give up on Roma’s Radja Nainggolan for his midfield and retains an interest in Portuguese Euro 2016-winning duo Joao Mario (Sporting Lisbon) and Andre Gomes (Valencia), who both also play that position.

Chelsea’s new boss wants more steel and energy in the middle of the park and that could see Fabregas - a favourite of the Special One - become surplus to requirements for the Blues.

The Spain international was way below his creative best last season and during the second half of Chelsea’s title-winning campaign two seasons ago.

But Fabregas, signed two years ago from Barcelona for £27million, still has a good relationship with Mourinho.

The United boss has prioritised a world-record £100m move for Paul Pogba and is set to step up his attempts to land the Juventus superstar this week.

But he is prepared to bide his time over Fabregas as Conte - who has already landed Marseille striker Michy Batshuayi for £33m - continues with his own transfer business.