Man Utd transfer news: Schweinsteiger in Deadline Day stand-off

Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho keen on Kane and Costa

21 March

With reports from Spain over the weekend claiming that Jose Mourinho has signed a pre-contract agreement with Manchester United to replace Louis van Gaal at the end of the season, the transfer rumour mill is working overtime.

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And first off the production line is the claim in the Independent on Sunday that Mourinho has "identified the Tottenham striker Harry Kane as his priority target".

The 22-year-old Kane has helped lift Spurs into second place this season and according to the soon-to-be defunct Indy, the Special One "is a huge fan of the player's intensity and pace".

Apparently Mourinho has compiled a "forensic dossier" on how he will bring the good times back to Old Trafford, and high up in his plan is to prise England's most deadly goal-getter out of White Hart Lane. What will Tottenham have to say about that? The IoS says that the Lilywhites "consider Kane unsellable" with club chairman Daniel Levy known for his intransigence.

However, there is a slim possibility, says the paper, that Spurs will sell Kane to United and it involves an offer in the region of £60m.

The other factor to consider is whether Kane would want to leave Spurs - who are almost certain to qualify for next season's Champions League - for United, who barring a dramatic end to the season, will be in the Europa League at best.

So if not Kane, then who? The Daily Express fingers Diego Costa with Mourinho ready to make a move for the player he brought to the Bridge during his time in charge of Chelsea. Spanish outlet Fichajes broke the story, saying that United see the Spanish sharpshooter as "an ideal addition" to Old Trafford. Atletico Madrid are rumoured to be circling Costa with a £35m bid but the Express reckons United "are ready to outbid the La Liga side with a £47m offer to secure his signature".

Finally, the Daily Mail says that United had their scouts at Marseille on Friday night to watch Ousmane Dembele play a pivotal role in Rennes 5-2 humiliation of their hosts. The 18-year-old winger scored one and chalked up an assist, in front of spies from United, Arsenal and Manchester City. Such is Dembele's market value now, that the Mail says whoever wants to prise him from Rennes will have to pay in the region of £30m.

Man Utd transfer news: Mourinho brokers £85m Higuain deal

18 March

They needed three goals against Liverpool but managed only one, but could Manchester United's striking woes be over next season?

Reports in Italy say that Napoli striker Gonzalo Higuain will join the club in the summer, but only if Jose Mourinho takes over from Louis van Gaal at the end of the season.

Mourinho has "met with Higuain's brother, who acts as the striker's agent, to discuss a transfer", says the Daily Express, which adds that an eye-popping £85m fee as been agreed. On top of that United will also be expected to pay the Argentine £8m a year.

Matteo Darmian has dismissed suggestions he's thinking of walking out of Old Trafford in the summer, despite the Red Devils latest reverse at the hands of Liverpool in the Europa League.

The Manchester United defender, who was a £13m signing from Torino last year, has struggled of late with injuries and loss of form. That's in sharp contrast to the start of the season when he was a regular under Louis van Gaal.

The former AC Milan full-back has since been linked with what Metro describes as "a host of Serie A clubs" but the 26-year-old had this to say when asked about his future by Sky Sport Italia: "I’m happy here. I have no reason to think about the transfer market... and I have not thought of anything else other than finishing the season strongly."

Meanwhile, Metro also reports that United are "expected to make a bid for Santos youngster Thiago Maia" in the summer. The Brazilian midfielder, still only 18, has impressed in his homeland this season, and Atletico Madrid "will be competing with the Red Devils" for the hand of the gifted playmaker. Though his contract runs with Santos until 2019, Metro says a sizeable offer will be enough for South American side to sign the release papers.

Man Utd transfer news: Martial and Cavani shock swap plot

17 March

There's a shock on the horizon and it could involve United swapping Anthony Martial for Edinson Cavani.

The Red Devils have been linked with the Paris Saint-Germain striker for months and their patience looks set to be rewarded with the Daily Star claiming that they are "keen on a shock swap deal this summer".

Cavani is unsettled at PSG, so say the rumours, and wants to join United where he will be guaranteed the sort of regular game time that he's missed in France. The problem for United in the past has been the reluctance of PSG to sell but the Star says the English outfit are "willing to go to extraordinary lengths to land the 29-year-old".

That means giving PSG the 20-year-old Martial in exchange for the Uruguayan hitman. Martial, a French international, is allegedly warming to the idea despite the fact he only joined United from Monaco last year. Arsenal and Juventus have also been tracking Cavani but the Star says the already-wealthy PSG are likely to look more favourably on a deal that involves a player swap as they have no need for cash.

Meanwhile the Star also reports that Lazio hotshot Keita Balde has declared his desire to play for United over Liverpool - who also have designs on the 21-year-old winger.

Balde has been making steady progress with Lazio but when asked by broadcaster TFM about his future plans, he replied: "For the moment I'm staying here [but] my ambition is to get to play for one of the best teams in the world like Barcelona, Real Madrid or Manchester United – that’s every young guy’s dream."

Man Utd transfer news: Felipe Anderson stays loyal to Lazio

16 March

The "will he, won't he" saga of Felipe Anderson's prospective move to Manchester United has taken another turn according to the Daily Star, which reports that the player has once more reiterated his wish to remain at Lazio.

Rumours of late have suggested that the midfielder was edging towards a move to Old Trafford, but in conversation with Fox Sports Brazil Anderson declared: "The newspapers talk about my possible move to England, but I am a Lazio player and I want to do well here."

It's believed that United will table a £39m offer for the South American in the summer but Lazio have shown no evidence they are prepared to do business.

Meanwhile the Daily Express says that United gloveman Sergio Romero has "rejected a move away" from Old Trafford. The South American shotstopper, who's made ten appearances between the sticks for United this term, was rumoured to be considering his options in the search for more regular game time. But despite playing second fiddle to David de Gea, the Argentine has turned down an approach from the River Plate club and will stay at Old Trafford.

The Express notes that De Gea is likely to be targeted again by Real Madrid in the summer and Romero may be biding his time in the hope he'll get his chance to be United's number one next season.

Man Utd transfer news: Boost in Alves and Aubameyang hunt

15 March

United's hopes of landing Barcelona star Dani Alves have received a shot in the arm after the Brazilian right-back admitted he's tempted by the prospect of playing in the Premier League in the future.

Metro claims that both the Red Devils and Chelsea tailed the 32-year-old Alves last summer and although neither was successful, United remain keen and will come back again at the end of this season. Asked about a possible move to the Premier League, Alves replied: "I've always said that playing in England is something I've got pending. I don't know when but I'd like to play there, to experience in person what I see from the sofa."

Metro says that United are "desperate to land him" as Louis van Gaal looks to add some ballast to his back four.

Meanwhile, another key target Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has made what according to the Daily Express is a "come-and-get-me plea" to United and Arsenal. The paper says the Borussia Dortmund frontman rubbished suggestions linking him to PSG and Real Madrid but was more coy when asked about a move to England.

Meanwhile, Barcelona have stolen a march on United as far as Ousmane Dembele goes with Talksport reporting that the Catalan club have tabled a £27m offer for the 18-year-old sharpshooter. The good news for United - and Leicester and Arsenal, both of whom have also been linked with Dembele - is that Rennes rejected Barca's offer. The bad news is that the French club apparently believe their teenage frontman is worth a lot more.

Talksport goes on to say that Rennes haven't set an asking price for Dembele but "they hold a strong hand in the negotiations" because he only signed his first professional deal in October.

Man Utd transfer news: Hunt for Felipe Anderson is back on

11 March

After their demoralising defeat to Liverpool in the Europa League on Thursday night it's clear United are in need of some reinforcements and that's why The Sun says the club "have held fresh talks with Lazio star Felipe Anderson".

It's been months since the Red Devils were first linked with the 22-year-old Brazilian magician, but in that time the rumours have been growing in credence with the Sun now convinced that Old Trafford "bigwigs are ready to splash the cash this summer".

It's been suggested that they will table a £39m bid for the winger after United scouts spent weeks watching Anderson in action for Lazio. Like United, the Italian outfit aren't experiencing the most productive of seasons and they currently lie eighth in Serie A, which may prove a factor in Anderson's decision.

The Italian side fared better in the Europa League than United last night, drawing 1-1 away at Sparta Prague. Yet they are not expected to win the tournament and that means United, who could still finish fourth in the Premier League look like a better bet for a ticket to the Champions League. What's more, the glamour of Old Trafford beats that on offer in Rome.