Man Utd to ‘battle’ Juventus & Barcelona for 18-year-old protegee as AC Milan ‘set price’ for World Cup star

Transfer speculation surrounding Manchester United continues to grow as the January window looms ever closer.

Erik ten Hag has already admitted the club hope to sign a striker, with names such as Joao Felix, Cody Gakpo and Memphis Depay being linked in recent days. But up front isn’t the only position where United need to recruit, and there are still concerns at right-back as well as having sufficient back-up for Bruno Fernandes.

But which players have generated headlines in the last 24 hours? We’ve rounded up some of the latest transfer reports surrounding the club.

Ndour on United’s radar

United will battle Juventus and Barcelona to sign 18-year-old Cher Ndour, according to the Mirror.

The Italian’s contract expires at Benfica this summer and, despite never representing the club’s senior team, is already attracting attention from Europe’s elite sides.

Ndour has been dubbed ‘the next Paul Pogba’ and United are said to be hopeful of landing the youngster this summer given he has the same agent as Bruno Fernandes.

Leao price set

As per the Manchester Evening News, United will have to pay AC Milan €100m (£86m) should they wish to sign AC Milan attacker Rafael Leao.

The 23-year-old impressed for Portugal at the World Cup and has just 18 months left on his  contract at the Serie A club, which has resulted in him being linked with moves to several Premier League sides. The same outlet add United are ‘yet to register any concrete interest’ in Leao, while the Mirror have previously claimed he is seen by United as an alternative to Gakpo.

The MEN also report United ‘admire’ Victor Osimhen but will struggle to sign the Napoli striker in January, while Erik ten Hag has previously been impressed by Portugal forward Goncalo Ramos.

World Cup flop still of interest

United are undeterred by Diogo Carlos’ performances for Portugal at the World Cup and A Bola claim the Red Devils retain an interest in the goalkeeper.

The Porto stopper didn’t enjoy a good tournament in Qatar and was largely at fault for the goal which saw his nation eliminated at the quarter-final stage, as Youssef En-Nesyri outjumped him to score a header.

United and Chelsea were among the sides said to be interested in a move for Carlos prior to the World Cup, and the Portuguese outlet don’t believe his shaky showings have altered the view of either Premier League club.