Man Utd and Liverpool ‘send scouts’ to watch defender as £15m bid ‘rejected’ and club handed double boost

The January transfer window has been closed for a little over a week but there is already plenty of talk about big deals that could be done across English football in the summer.

Manchester United, who drew 2-2 with Leeds United at Old Trafford last night and head to Elland Road this weekend in their next Premier League fixture, stuck exclusively to loan moves when bringing players in last month and there could be a big rebuild of the first team squad on the horizon later this year. The Red Devils continue to be linked with several players and recent reports say they are scouting a defender whose club recently knocked back a £15 million offer and that they have been handed a ‘double boost’ in their reported hopes of signing two Barcelona stars. Here are the latest Manchester United transfer news stories on Thursday, February 9:

Man Utd and Liverpool send scouts to watch PSV loan defender

Per a report from The Daily Mail, Manchester United and Liverpool will send scouts to watch Everton defender Jarrad Branthwaite next week as he turns out for Dutch side PSV Eindhoven. The 20-year old, who is also going to be watched by scouts from former United boss Jose Mourinho’s current side AS Roma, has been impressing in the Eredivisie in recent weeks.

The left sided centre-back did enough to encourage former United star Ruud van Nistelrooy, the current head coach of PSV, to pursue a permanent move in the January transfer window. However, it is also reported that Everton knocked back two bids for the defender including one for a fee of £15 million.

Man Utd handed ‘double boost’ in pursuits of Barcelona pair

Manchester United have been handed encouragement in their pursuits of Barcelona pair Frenkie de Jong and Ansu Fati, reports The Mirror via other sources. La Liga officials are apparently demanding that the Catalan club ‘dramatically reduce their wage bill’ and have been told by the league’s chief Javier Tebas that they must lower their total wage bill by over €200m (£177m).

This news is described as a ‘boost’ for the Red Devils who could now reignite their interest in de Jong after missing out on his signing last year. Other reports suggest that Fati is also a target for the Old Trafford club and this news will serve as yet another ‘boost’.