Jose Mourinho in contact with agent of £50m Manchester United target Marko Arnautovic

Jose Mourinho has held discussions with the agent of West Ham forward Marko Arnautovic over a move to Manchester United.

Austria international Arnautovic only joined the Hammers last summer but is already being linked with a move away after impressing for the east London club.

United have signed two players so far this summer – with Diogo Dolot following Fred through the doors at Old Trafford – but the club are being linked with a number of other moves.

Mourinho signed Romelu Lukaku last summer and Alexis Sanchez in January but he remains interested in strengthening his attacking options.

And the Portuguese manager is said to have expressed interest in signing Arnautovic, who he briefly worked with at Inter Milan.

According to Austria outlet Osterreich, Mourinho has shared text messages with Arnautovic’s brother and agent, Danijel.

Last week, Arnautovic was asked about the interest from Manchester United and admitted he was flattered to be linked with the Premier League giants.

‘It’s nice to hear, I haven’t heard anything from my brother, my agent,’ he said.

‘You can keep asking this question but you’ll never hear the answer from me.’