Manchester United ‘leading the chase’ for £17million striker as in-demand target sends transfer message

The Red Devils are preparing to take on Aston Villa in the FA Cup this evening and will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Wolves in their last outing - which left the side seventh in the Premier League.

And reports from Europe have suggested that a new striker is being targeted by United as they look to climb the table.

What’s been said?

Calcio Mercato claims that River Plate frontman Julian Alvarez is on the club’s radar this month - with the 21-year-old attracting interest from across Europe after netting 18 times last season.

AC Milan, Juventus and Inter Milan are all said to be keen on Alvarez, but the report suggests that the Old Trafford outfit and Bayern Munich are leading the chase for the youngster as things stand.

The Argentinian’s agent is reported to have flown out to Italy to discuss a possible move in recent days, but that the proposals from England and Germany are more compelling at present.

Another player attracting a host of interest is Boubacar Kamara, with United one of several Premier League teams reportedly monitoring the Marseille midfielder.

West Ham and Newcastle United have also been credited with an interest in the 22-year-old, who is out of contract in the summer.

But The Sun reports that a clear message has been sent to potential buyers over the finances required to complete a deal - with Kamara’s wage demands said to be in the region of £150,000 per week.

Is anyone being linked with a move away?

There could also be outgoings from Old Trafford this month with several players linked with exits.

Sky Italia suggests that Eric Bailly could be on the move once he returns from the African Cup of Nations, with AC Milan thought to be interested in a loan move.

Bailly will be unavailable for the next few weeks as he represents the Ivory Coast, but the Italian giants have reportedly lined him up as a temporary replacement for the injured Simon Kjaer.

But one player who looks unlikely to be on the move this month is Paul Pogba.

The French international is out of contract in the summer, but the Daily Mail claims that there have been no offers for the 28-year-old this month.

The Sun also reported last week that a new deal from United, worth an estimated £500,000 last week, was being put forward to try to keep Pogba.