Manchester United transfer news and rumours: Felipe Anderson bid 'rejected' and Saul Niguez linked with £18m move

The latest transfer news and rumours coming out of Manchester United

Atletico Madrid midfielder Saul Niguez jostles with Celta Vigo's Hugo Mallo (Getty Images)

Manchester United are believed to have opened talks with Atletico Madrid over a move for their young midfielder Saul Niguez, with an £18m offer said to be in the pipeline as Louis van Gaal looks to inject their season with a much needed boost.

21-year-old Saul has already been linked with a move to United having been identified as a long-term replacement for Michael Carrick, with the England international struggling to make an impact this season as United continue to struggle for form.

According to The Mirror, United have now opened talks with La Liga side Atletico with a view to sealing a move for the Spain Under-21 international, and while an official offer could start in the region of £15m, it’s added that the former Real Madrid academy player has an £18m release clause in his contract.

Atletico manager Diego Simeone is determined to keep Saul in the Spanish capital with his side currently leading the way in the La Liga table, but United has flexed their financial muscle since Van Gaal replaced David Moyes in 2014 and could choose to do so yet again in order to seal a January move.

Elsewhere, reports in Italy suggest that Lazio have rejected a £37m offer from United for transfer target Felipe Anderson, although the club themselves have insisted that they are yet to receive an offer for the Brazil international.

The player himself spoke out yesterday to admit he does not know what his future holds after being heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford. Anderson told Sky Italia: "I do not know if I will stay in January.

"I am concentrated only on my work and doing well here. I do not know what will happen."

United could also be in the hunt for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gindogan, with the Germany international uncertain where his future lies as he weighs up a new long-term contract with the Bundesliga club. Should United make a move, they have already been given a boost with the news that Juventus have ruled out any bid for the 25-year-old, according to the Express, although Liverpool are also said to be interested in Gundogan.

Finally, Harry Kane looks almost certain to end the season with Tottenham after admitting he is more than happy at White Hart Lane and does not want to leave despite being linked with United and Real Madrid.

Speaking after Spurs’ 2-2 FA Cup third round draw with Leicester, Kane said: "There are always going to be rumours flying around but I'm happy here. The club is in a good shape, we have a great future and I'm raring to go so we will see what happens.

"We have got a lot of young players raring to go who are getting better and better with each game and that is all we have got to do. Keep working hard on the training field, we are getting better and more experienced the more we play and I think we can only get better."