Manchester United transfer news: Andre Silva a top £51million target for Jose Mourinho with Red Devils keen to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic

JOSE MOURINHO wants Andre Silva to replace Zlatan Ibrahimovic long-term at Manchester United.

The £51million Portugal ace has netted 13 times for Porto and Portugal this term - alerting the Premier League's big boys and became the youngest player to ever net a hat trick for his country.

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Silva, 21, is also a Jorge Mendes player - sharing the same agent as Jose Mourinho.

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Mendes recently set-up an improved contract with the Portuguese club meaning United will have to meet Porto's £51m demand to trigger his release clause.

United have been shy of goals this season, netting 16 times in 11 games compared to free-scoring Liverpool's 30.

And with Wayne Rooney's alarming dip in form, there would be an opening in the Old Trafford front line.

It took till United's 3-1 win on November 6 against a woeful Swansea side for Ibrahimovic to find the goal for the first time in the league since he scored against Manchester City on September 10.

According to the , City, Barcelona and Real Madrid are also keeping tabs on Silva, who turned 21 this month.

But United will be wary of how they lost out on Portuguese prodigy Renato Sanches when they dithered over the deal as well as Louis van Gaal's exit, letting the Benfica midfielder go to Bayern Munich.