Jose Mourinho is determined to strengthen his defence with a new centre-back and will offer Roma £47.6million for Kostas Manolas, The Sun reveals.

The Manchester United manager has said he does not intend to buy another defender but behind the scenes is still working on a deal for the Greek international.

SunSport reported how Mourinho had initially coughed up £32.5m for Manolas.

That came after talks with Victor Lindelof hit a wall – despite Benfica and Vasteras recently agreeing a sell-on fee.

And last May, when Mourinho started looking at which players he would like to sign, he paid special attention to Manolas and team-mate Alessandro Florenzi.

But Roma, who currently sit just four points behind Serie A leaders Juventus, are reluctant to lose one of their most sought-after assets.

And they will test the Portuguese's resolve - and that of owners the Glazer family - even more by refusing to budge from their valuation of a massive £52m.

United are keeping up their pursuit of Manolas while not ruling out a move for Benfica's Lindelof - whose girlfriend recently dropped a massive hint regarding his future.

One of these two players will be the future of a United defence that has been strengthened by the return to form of Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo.