Friday, 15th November, 2013
Jose Mourinho insists he came close to signing Shinji Kagawa for Real Madrid, though he admits the presence of his "first-choice" Mesut Ozil was always a hindrance.
Mourinho, who spent three years at Real Madrid, saw Ozil arrive as one of this first major signings from Werder Bremen.
Ozil eventually departed for Arsenal this summer, a few months after Mourinho was confirmed as the new Chelsea manager.
Kagawa, meanwhile, chose to join Manchester United last year and is slowly making his mark with midfield displays that have impressed manager David Moyes.
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Mourinho had been a fan of the Japan international, and told Sports Graphic Number: "I wanted to sign Kagawa for Real Madrid.
"I spoke to him and we were about to sign him. But I was honest with him and told him my first choice was Ozil.
"I said that to Kagawa so I was hiding nothing. In the end, he chose Manchester United, perhaps because he could play more minutes in England."
Kagawa has made four appearances this season for Manchester United after only starting his league campaign in late September.
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