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Manchester United are on the hunt for a forward this January to help relieve some of the pressure on Romelu Lukaku – and Alexis Sanchez is only one on a three-man shortlist.
The Independent revealed on Thursday that United would be willing to trump rivals Manchester City in both fees and wages for the Chilean, as well as offering Henrikh Mkhitaryan as a make-weight, should they get any indication Sanchez wants to move to Old Trafford.
However, it is a long shot given that Sanchez wants to leave Arsenal to work with Pep Guardiola again, having done so at Barcelona, and rejected Paris Saint-Germain in the summer as a result of this desire.
United are pragmatic and realise that the Sanchez deal is unlikely and, as a result, are looking at other options in the Premier League , in Jamie Vardy and former-United striker Javier Hernandez , according to the Daily Telegraph
Vardy would cost around £35m having signed a new seal in the summer of 2016 amid Arsenal interest and would require owner Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha sanctioning the move – two stumbling blocks.
A move for Hernandez would be more straightforward given that he is unwanted by West Ham United manager David Moyes , who is prepared to listen to offers for the Mexican – a player Jose Mourinho said he never would have sold if he was United boss at the time.
Show all 7 1 /7Manchester United's January transfer targets Manchester United's January transfer targets Fred Club: Shakhtar DonetskLikelihood: 5/10
Manchester United's January transfer targets Lucas Moura Club: Paris Saint-GermainLikelihood: 3/10
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Manchester United's January transfer targets Danny Rose Club: Tottenham HotspurLikelihood: 2/10
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Manchester United's January transfer targets Alex Sandro Club: JuventusLikelihood: 2/10
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Manchester United's January transfer targets Malcolm Club: BordeauxLikelihood: 2/10
Manchester United's January transfer targets Ryan Sessegnon Club: FulhamLikelihood: 2/10
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Manchester United's January transfer targets Kieran Tierney Club: CelticLikelihood: 3/10
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More on United… United are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund defensive midfielder Julian Weigl , The Independent has revealed
Mourinho is keen to bolster his midfield as well as his forward line in the January transfer window and wants to sign a defensively-minded player to free up Paul Pogba .
The German midfielder is a target for United and City (Getty) The 22-year-old has been in fine form for Dortmund this season after returning from a fractured ankle in September, and has drawn admiring glances from clubs across Europe, including Manchester City.
City have scouted the German midfielder on several occasions this season and Spanish daily AS have previously claimed that Pep Guardiola is a big fan.
Chelsea competition for Gremio starlet Not heard of Arthur Melo yet? Well, this summer you might do as the 20-year-old Gremio playmaker is expected to make Brazil’s World Cup squad for this summer’s tournament in Russia.
Arthur was linked with a move to fc Barcelona , but their purchase of Philippe Coutinho has probably filled that position now for them, leaving Chelsea and United to battle it out, according to the Daily Mail
Arthur has a £45m buyout clause but Gremio are keen to cash in and could accept a deal worth £30 - £35m instead, although Arsenal and Manchester City are both reportedly interested as well.
Show all 43 1 /43Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Luke Shaw Following strong criticism from his own manager and pundits, after a series of long-term injuries, the former-Saint looks set to leave Old Trafford after four seasons that has seen him make only 53 appearances for United.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ander Herrera Manchester United have a one-year option they can invoke in the Spaniard’s contract should they wish to extend his stay at Old Trafford. Nemanja Matic’s arrival has limited the midfielder’s opportunities with the majority of his appearances this season coming from the bench.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Jack Wilshere Having struggled with injuries for years the Arsenal academy graduate has played in Arsenal’s previous four games. Undoubtedly talented, should the midfielder reject a proposed contract extension from the London club he will have plenty of Premier League sides eager to sign him at the end of the season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Emre Can Heavily linked with a move to Juventus, the former-Bayern Munich midfielder has been frustrated by Jurgen Klopp’s rotation policy in a congested Liverpool midfield, and with the impending arrival of Naby Keita from Leipzig in the summer, sees his opportunities further diminishing.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Marouane Fellaini Struggling for game time in a United midfield consisting of Paul Pogba, Ander Herrera, and Nemanja Matic, the Belgian may be tempted to move in search of first team opportunities.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Franck Ribery The Champions League winner, now 34, has struggled with injury this season, and has understandably looked rusty upon his return to the Bayern starting eleven.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Daley Blind Having made only 13 appearances for Mourinho’s side in all competitions this season, the versatile Dutchman has been linked with a move to Barcelona.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ashley Young Following his conversion to full-back by manager Jose Mourinho, the 32-year-old has scored twice and provided four assists with his dangerous delivery from out wide. Teams in the Premier League will be keen to secure the former Aston Villa player’s experience next term.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Giorgio Chiellini At 33 the Italian centre-back is still a world-class player, and with less than a year on his contract, will surely be a bargain for whoever secures his services next summer.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Zlatan Ibrahimovic Undoubted class, but at 36, whether the Swede represents value for money is another matter, with the striker one of the highest paid players in the Premier League.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Fernando Torres The former Liverpool striker has had to settle for a place on the bench since his return to Atletico Madrid, behind Antoine Griezmann and Kevin Gameiro in the pecking order. A move away surely beckons for the 33-year-old.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Arjen Robben Bayern’s other veteran winger has also had an injury-stricken season in Bavaria, though has still managed to score three and assist four in all competitions. The Dutchman is certainly still a threat when fully fit.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Iker Casillas Having won the Champions League three times, Casillas is certainly a high-quality goalkeeper. Could the Spanish veteran be a good signing for a top-European club?
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Hatem Ben Arfa Talent in abundance though lacking work rate, teams interested in the attacker will hope they can see the player find the form he displayed at OGC Nice, scoring 18 goals and assisting 7 in 2015/16.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ezequiel Lavezzi The stocky Argentine forward has been on fire this season in the Chinese Super League, scoring 20 goals and assisting 19 in 27 games. A return to Europe is surely on the cards for the former-Napoli man.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joel Robles Displaced from the Everton starting line-up by £30m summer arrival Jordan Pickford, the Spaniard will be eager to guarantee himself more game-time should next year.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Juanfran The Atletico Madrid legend, now 32, is under increasing competition from Croatian full-back Sime Vrsaljko and could be tempted by a move before retirement.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Amin Younes The Ajax forward, currently sidelined with a serious knee injury, had an excellent season in 2016/17 and was rewarded with his first Germany cap by Joachim Lowe in June this year.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Andre-Pierre Gignac The French target-man has enjoyed the most prolific spell of his career with Mexican side Tigres UANL, scoring a goal in every two games in all competitions. Proven in Ligue 1 with Marseille, the striker is capable of succeeding in Europe.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Yohan Cabaye Capable of dictating games at the top-level, the Frenchman could surely be a wildcard for a top side in the Premier League next season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Mario Balotelli The enigmatic Italian striker has reignited his stop-start career in Nice with 33 goals in 49 appearances for the French side.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joao Moutinho Winner of Ligue 1 with AS Monaco last year, the 31-year-old midfielder is into the final year of his contract.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Carlos Vela The Mexican wideman has found goals hard to come by this season, scoring just once this season for Real Sociedad.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Yaya Toure After years of speculation that Toure would leave Manchester City, the Ivorian’s time at City finally seems to coming to an end.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Stefan de Vrij Liverpool have been linked to the Netherland’s international in recent weeks as Jurgen Klopp seeks to add quality to his defence.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Neven Subotic The Bundesliga winner has made only four appearances this season, often failing to even make the bench for Dortmund.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Max Meyer The 22-year-old playmaker Meyer has been consistently linked with Liverpool, Tottenham and Barcelona and has so far refused any contract offers made by Schalke.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Dani Garcia The Spanish midfielder has been a mainstay for SD Eibar over the past three seasons. Offering a goal-threat from midfield with his long-distance shooting and set-piece ability, Garcia could prove a shrewd acquisition.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Achraf Hakimi The Moroccan full back has deputised well for Dani Carvajal in La Liga this season, and has shown glimpses of his potential at the Bernabeu.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Stephan Lichsteiner Disappointing performances for the Bianconeri this season, and added competition from Mattia de Sciglio have led to rumours that the Swiss defender could be set to leave Turin in January.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Bernard The pacey winger has enjoyed a four year spell in Ukraine with Shakhtar Donetsk, though in not signing a new contract, may have his heart set on playing in one of Europe’s top five leagues.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Diego Reyes The 25-year-old defender has guided FC Porto to the top of the Primeira Liga, conceding only six goals in the process.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Enes Unal Still only 20, the Turkish forward has seen his career stall since moving to Spain from Manchester City. Should the striker fail to sign a new contract with Villareal, a move back to the Eredivisie could prove fruitful for a striker with vast potential.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Ivan Marcano The Porto centre-back, also capable of playing left-back, has been the subject of interest from Everton following a number of impressive displays for the Iberian club.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Joao Miranda Former Atletico Madrid star Miranda has started all but one league game for Inter Milan this term helping his side keep eight clean sheets so far. Should he fail to renew his contract with the Nerazzuri, he will be a top acquisition for any side.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Kepa Arrizabalaga The 23-year-old goalkeeper is yet to sign a new deal with Athletic Bilbao, and is rumoured to be close to agreeing a move to Real Madrid for €20m.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Kwadwo Asamoah The five-time Serie A winner is capable of playing in a variety of positions and would certainly be a valuable squad player for top sides in Europe.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Mark Uth The 26-year-old striker has been in excellent form for Hoffenheim this season, scoring 12 goals in all competitions.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Pedro Leon Injured since the summer, the experienced right winger would be a gamble with such little game time in the past year. If he can prove his fitness, the winger is capable of creating chances from wide areas, with six assists last season in La Liga.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Santi Cazorla Blighted by serious injuries to his Achilles and having had surgery nine times in 14 months, the diminutive midfielder will hope to regain his fitness to restart his career.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Zlatko Junuzovic The Werder Bremen creative midfielder has assisted 49 in 182 appearances, scoring 20 goals in the process.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Rafinha The experienced Brazilian right-back is entering the last year of his contract with Bayern Munich. Capable of deputising at the top level, and with invaluable experience in the Champions league, the 32-year old could provide excellent cover for an elite European side next season.
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Transfers: Players that are out of contract in 2018 Sergio Canales The Spanish playmaker is yet to agree a new contract and has proven, when fit, that he is capable of playing at the top level.
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United challenge City for Fred With Weigl the preferred option, Mourinho is drawing up a list of potential midfield targets to combat the loss of both Marouane Fellaini and Michael Carrick , who are both expected to leave the club at the end of the season, say the Daily Record
Ander Herrera and Juan Mata could also leave although United do have the right to exercise a one-year extension on their deals.
“If - next summer - we are going to sign a midfield player, it's to replace Michael Carrick,” said Mourinho recently. “He's in the end of his career, so if next summer we buy a midfield player, it's not to improve our squad, it's to replace Michael Carrick. So to improve our squad in the midfield, we would need to buy two.”
Fred , though has been linked with Manchester City and has recently said he was “waiting” for a phone call from Guardiola.
“For sure, I would grow a lot with him. I have a lot of room to grow,” he told GloboEsporte . “I have not received (his call) yet, I'm just eagerly waiting. He'll call me soon!”
News and rumours from around the web Liverpool FC are looking to offload Daniel Sturridge - but want £30m for the striker, the Liverpool Echo reports. Sturridge, 28, is looking to leave Anfield during the transfer window for first-team football as he bids to be part of England's World Cup squad.
Antonio Conte is to leave the Chelsea hot seat at the end of the season, the Daily Mail says. The paper reports that the new Stamford Bridge boss could be Massimiliano Allegri , who is currently at Juventus, or former Barcelona coach Luis Enrique . Former boss Carlo Ancelotti is not in the frame despite winning the double in 2010, it is reported.
Everton are prepared to pay £20m for Arsenal's Theo Walcott , according to the Telegraph . Walcott, 28, could call time on his 12-year stay at the Emirates after being left on the bench when his side took on Chelsea.
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