Transfer gossip column: Mourinho ready for £200-million shopping spree

This is not the place for legitimate reports and completed deals. Here, we compile the ludicrous transfer rumours that arise during this month of madness in the football world. Each day until the summer transfer window shuts, theScore will provide a rundown of the most outlandish babble from the backpages, briefing you on the transfer gossip throughout Europe.

Here's what the rumour mill is churning out today:

Mourinho targets Matic, Benzema, Aubameyang

Jose Mourinho hasn't even been announced as Manchester United's newest manager yet (if it all) but he's already got a shortlist of players he's ready to pounce on with his rumoured £200-million transfer budget for the summer.

Namely, Mourinho's eyeing a reunion with Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic, according to the Daily Mail, as well as with Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema, per the Express.

Of course, Benzema is the preferred option, but the Express goes on to report that Mourinho would also be fine with a £70-million deal for Borussia Dortmund forward Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

Andros Townsend​ to ... Sporting CP?

(Courtesy: @SimonPeach)

Portuguese paper Record reports that Newcastle United newcomer Andros Townsend is on his way to Sporting CP after the Magpies were relegated to the English Championship at the end of the 2015-16 Premier League season.

Townsend will apparently be joined by West Brom midfielder Sandro, too.

Speaking of Sporting CP ...

Leicester City targets Islam Slimani

Premier League champion side Leicester City is expected to be busy in the transfer window, as Leicester Mercury reports by way of SIC Noticias that the club is eyeing a €30-million deal with Sporting CP star Islam Slimani via a buy-out clause in his contract.

Of course, those pesky clauses could backfire on the Foxes, as the Daily Mail reports that Jamie Vardy could leave the club with a £20-million buy-out clause of his own. Manchester United, Chelsea, and West Ham are supposedly interested in the underdog star.

N'Golo Kante also has a similar clause, the Daily Mail reported in April.

Minding the net at Goodison Park

Having sold stalwart goalkeeper Tim Howard to the Colorado Rapids in Major League Soccer, Everton now has its eyes on a new netminder in the form of Manchester City's Joe Hart, according to The Sun.

New Toffees owner Farhad Moshiri is reportedly set to splash some cash from Iran to the tune of £40 million for the England international's services, with a wage of around £200,000 per week.

He's not the only goalkeeper on offer, though, as Aston Villa shot-stopper Brad Guzan is reportedly set to follow Howard to MLS himself in search of wealth and playing time. Howard's making over $2 million per year with the Rapids, which must sound tempting for his fellow bald-headed compatriot.