Man Utd transfer news: Leroy Sane, Eric Bailly, Medhi Benatia

Insane rumour

Manchester City star Leroy Sane has laughed off rumours that he might be open to a move to Old Trafford.

Claims that the German winger was ready to head to Manchester United surfaced last week, with bookmakers slashing the odds on his turning traitor. But the 22-year-old insists there is no truth to the reports, Metro reports.

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Asked if he was ready to swap the Etihad for Old Trafford, Sane said: “That won’t happen… that won’t happen at all.”

On the right side

According to the London Evening Standard, Sane is in negotiations over a new contract at Manchester City and is “adamant his future lies with the Premier League champions”.

Asked to reaffirm his allegiance to the Sky Blues, the German youngster said: “I am really happy here and I’m on the right side.”

With City and United set clash in the Manchester derby on Sunday, the newspaper says the transfer speculation has “stoked up rivalries” ahead of a clash that would leave the Red Devils 12 points adrift of their noisy neighbours if they lose.

Milan to bid for Bailly?

Meanwhile, ESPN has broken the news that AC Milan are “planning a January move for Eric Bailly”.

The Ivory Coast defender has become “increasingly unsettled by his lack of opportunities under Jose Mourinho”, according to the broadcaster, which says that the Italian giants are confident they can strike a deal with the Red Devils in the new year.

Bailly, who arrived in a £30m deal from Villarreal in June 2016, is expected to be on the bench for United against Juventus tomorrow night, but he is said to believe “he has lost Mourinho’s faith”.

As a result, he will look favourably on any approach from a European powerhouse that can offer him regular game-time.

As for Mourinho, ESPN says he intends to beef up his back four in January, “with Inter Milan centre-half Milan Skriniar and Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld the prime targets”.

Benatia on the radar

Another defender on United’s target list is Juventus star Medhi Benatia. Metro reports that United “are poised to make a move” for the defender in January.

The paper claims that the Benatia is fed up with warming the Turin bench and wants to move to a club where he’ll see more action.

Arsenal have also been linked with a move for the 31-year-old Moroccan centre-back, but Metro - citing Italian outlet Tuttosport - says United “have made their interest in Benatia known”.