Rafa Benitez is planning a shock swoop for Manchester United's Juan Mata - but it all hinges on how the Newcastle manager's own contract negotiations go.
Mata is out of contract at Old Trafford this summer and can leave on a free transfer.
The creative midfielder worked under Mourinho at Chelsea and would be a huge boost to his Newcastle squad, but will also have plenty of offers from his native Spain.
Newcastle can't act in the transfer market until they resolve their contract talks with Benitez , which started last week.
Manager and club spent the weekend weighing up the situation with Benitez wanting guarantees over a budget and targets, and the club not willing to hand over total spending power.
The Newcastle boss is believed to want the club to change its policy on signing players older than 26, and to start paying more competitive salaries.
So any pursuit of Mata, who earns around £140,000 a week at Old Trafford , would be a good measure of how Benitez's talks have gone, according to The Sun .
The report says Benitez thinks the 31-year-old's creativity, personality and experience could be perfect for his Newcastle squad.
Benitez's top target in attack is Salomon Rondon, after the Venezuelan's impressive season on loan from West Brom.
Rondon proved a key focal point for the Magpies, and also scored 12 goals in 33 games in all competitions.
But the club also want younger recruits with sell-on value and could move for Brazilian striker Wesley Moraes , 22.
The Geordies have watched the 22-year-old multiple times this season as he racked up 17 goals for Club Brugge.
West Ham and Italian giants Lazio are also in the market for the powerful 6ft 3in striker who also got 10 assists.
Asked where his future will be, Moraes said: “I do not know yet, I have a preference for the Premier League, but we'll see what happens, I have to give it a go."
