Edinson Cavani tops Man Utd hit list as time runs out for Falcao

As Dani Alves angrily denies rumours linking him with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester United are reportedly tailing four strikers as they seek to farm out flop frontman Radamel Falcao.

• With Manchester United in more disarray than the Greens election manifesto, it's claimed that the Red Devils have drawn up a shortlist of four strikers to replace flop Radamel Falcao. According to Metro, United boss Louis van Gaal has run out of patience with the Colombian international since he arrived on loan from Monaco in August and he won't be retained for next season. Instead, the paper says that van Gaal "has been in talks with the club's hierarchy over a list of replacements". Top of that list is PSG frontman Edinson Cavani, though that deal is dependent on United qualifying for next season's Champions League. Other names on the list are Palermo hitman Paulo Dybala, 22-year-old Burnley sharpshooter Danny Ings and England and West Bromwich Albion striker Saido Berahino.

• One man who appears to have eluded United's grasp is £10m-rated Argentine star Lucas Biglia. The Daily Star claims that the Old Trafford club and Arsenal were both stalking the 29-year-old defensive midfielder. But now the paper reports that Biglia is "on the verge of signing a new deal with Lazio". It had been stated earlier in the season that contract negotiations had stalled between the two parties, and United and the Gunners were both told that a bid of £18m would be enough to prise him from Italy. Both clubs sent scouts to Rome, as did PSG, but now it's reported in the Italian press that Biglia will soon pen an extension.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

• But PSG have had more luck with Dani Alves? According to Talksport, the veteran Barcelona defender, who has been linked with Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool this season, is set to join the French champions "on a free transfer at the end of the season". Barca have dithered about offering the 31-year-old an extension after seven years of good service, and as a result the Spanish press report that Alves travelled last week to meet representatives from PSG "and a three-year deal has already been tabled".

That's not what the Daily Express is saying, however, with the paper quoting Alves angrily denying the rumours. Using a social network site to air his grievances, the Brazilian full-back rubbished suggestions he had agreed terms with PSG. "I'm a little tired of listening to people talk s***," he said. "I love this club until death and I'd stay forever. But if one day I have to leave, I'll have the same balls that have got me this far, and I don't need anyone to speak for me."