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Manchester United transfer targets as Boubakary Soumare emerges as possible signing

Sports Mole rounds up and assesses all of Manchester United's latest transfer targets and rumours, including the club's interest in Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare.

Manchester United safely booked their place in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Saturday evening, edging to a 1-0 victory over Watford at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are back in action again on Tuesday when they face Burnley in a game which could see them move top of the Premier League table, while behind the scenes work continues on possible transfer targets.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to bolster his squad to maintain their unexpected title challenge, and with Amad Diallo's arrival already confirmed, more could follow the youngster through the door.

Here, Sports Mole rounds up and rates all of Manchester United's latest transfers news and rumours for the January window.



Boubakary Soumare

Lille midfielder Boubakary Soumare pictured in October 2020© Reuters

Position: Midfielder
Current club: Lille
Rumoured price tag: £21m
Interest level: High

Boubakary Soumare has been tentatively linked with a move to the Premier League on numerous occasions during recent transfer windows, and Manchester United are the latest club to be linked with a move for the Lille midfielder.

Liverpool and AC Milan are among the other clubs to have been credited with an interest, but recent reports suggest that Man United are now leading the race for the 21-year-old's signature.

Milan have reportedly been priced out a deal, though, and Lille are expected to demand significantly more than Soumare's £21m valuation.



Declan Rice

West Ham's Declan Rice on January 1, 2021© Reuters

Position: Midfielder
Current club: West Ham United
Rumoured price tag: £80m
Interest level: Low

Chelsea have been leading the race for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice for some time, and that is still understood to be the case, but recent reports have suggested that Man United have a growing interest in the 21-year-old too.

The Hammers have no intention of letting their prized asset leave in January, though, despite rumoured interest from Liverpool and Manchester City as well.

Rice is also thought to have no interest in leaving London and moving up North, making a switch back to Chelsea, where he was formerly a youth player, all the more likely.



Dayot Upamecano

Dayot Upamecano in action for RB Leipzig on October 28, 2020© Reuters

Position: Defender
Current club: RB Leipzig
Rumoured price tag: £40m
Interest level: High

Manchester United have been handed a boost in their hopes of signing Dayot Upamecano after RB Leipzig confirmed that they are open to letting their star players leave again this summer.

The problem for the Red Devils is that they are by no means alone. A host of Europe's top clubs are thought to be interested in the highly-rated 22-year-old and Chelsea are the latest to join his list of admirers, which already includes the likes of Liverpool, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and more.

The chance of a move in January is slim, mainly due to the fact that a release clause kicks in this summer which would enable the in-demand centre-back to leave for just £40m.



Moises Caicedo

Independiente del Valle's Moises Caicedo pictured in September 2020© Reuters

Position: Midfielder
Current club: Independiente del Valle
Rumoured price tag: £4.5m
Interest level: Low

Manchester United were thought to have been on the brink of signing 19-year-old Independiente del Valle midfielder Moises Caicedo in the opening days of the window, but their interest is now understood to have cooled.

The Ecuadorian outfit have confirmed interest in the youngster from the Premier League, but Man United have reportedly decided against making a move for the £4.5m-rated player.

Chelsea, Everton, Ajax, AC Milan and now Brighton & Hove Albion are among the other clubs to have been linked with Caicedo.



Kieran Trippier

Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier pictured in December 2020© Reuters

Position: Defender
Current club: Atletico Madrid
Rumoured price tag: £18m
Interest level: Medium

Kieran Trippier had been linked to Manchester United before his move to Atletico Madrid, and those rumours have since resurfaced with the Red Devils thought to be in the market for competition for Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Indeed, both parties were thought to be open to a move prior to Trippier's 10-week ban for breaching betting rules - a punishment which is understood to have scuppered any potential deal.

That ban has since been suspended upon appeal, but as things stand a January move to Old Trafford looks highly unlikely.


Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos in action for Real Madrid on December 12, 2020© Reuters

Position: Defender
Current club: Real Madrid
Rumoured price tag: Free
Interest level: Medium

The list of players available on free transfers this summer is star-studded to an almost unprecedented level, and one of the biggest names on that list is Real Madrid captain and stalwart Sergio Ramos.

There is still a belief within the Spanish capital that the free-scoring centre-back will commit his future to the club, but he is now able to discuss terms with foreign clubs over a free transfer away from the Bernabeu at the end of this season.

Manchester United are one of the clubs thought to be interested in the 34-year-old if he does decide to leave Madrid, with Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Liverpool among the other clubs understood to be monitoring his situation.


Jack Grealish

Jack Grealish in action for Aston Villa on January 1, 2021© Reuters

Position: Midfielder
Current club: Aston Villa
Rumoured price tag: £90m-£100m
Interest level: High

Man United have been admirers of Jack Grealish for a number of years now, but the Aston Villa talisman's price continues to rise with his reputation as he enjoys another fine campaign with his boyhood club.

Villa are thought to want up to £100m for their captain and, while Man United are still interested in the 25-year-old, a January move looks very unlikely.

Manchester City are also thought to be interested in Grealish and could provide Man United with stiff competition for his signature.


Paulo Dybala

Paulo Dybala in action for Juventus on January 3, 2021© Reuters

Position: Forward
Current club: Juventus
Rumoured price tag: £63m
Interest level: Medium

Paulo Dybala was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer, and those rumours have arisen again upon the opening of the January window.

The Argentine's contract at Juventus is due to expire at the end of next season and, while talks over an extension are currently ongoing, the Italian outfit are understood to have decided to cash in on him if he rejects the terms on offer.

A swap deal with Paul Pogba has been mooted as a potential option and Man United are keeping tabs on his situation, although such a high-profile transfer in January looks unlikely.


Jadon Sancho

Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho pictured in January 2021© Reuters

Position: Winger
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Rumoured price tag: £100m
Interest level: High

Jadon Sancho to Manchester United was the rumour which dominated the summer transfer window without ever coming to fruition, with the Red Devils ultimately failing to meet Dortmund's asking price.

Sancho's form has since tailed off, but Man United are still understood to be very interested in bringing the 20-year-old back to England.

The prospect of that happening in January appears slim, although United chiefs are hopeful that they will be able to strike a deal for less than £100m given Sancho's dip in performance levels since the summer saga.


Kouadio Kone

Toulouse's Kouadio Kone pictured in January 2020© Reuters

Position: Midfielder
Current club: Toulouse
Rumoured price tag: £4.5m
Interest level: Medium

Man United have focused more on bringing in youth over the past year or so, and Toulouse midfielder Kouadio Kone could be the next step in that process.

The 19-year-old has broken into the Toulouse first team, but is also reportedly wanted by Leeds United and AC Milan after impressing for the Ligue 2 outfit.


Kingsley Coman

Bayern Munich forward Kingsley Coman pictured in December 2020© Reuters

Position: Winger
Current club: Bayern Munich
Rumoured price tag: £36m
Interest level: Low

Kingsley Coman has been in and out of the Bayern Munich side this season, again resulting in links with a move away in search of more regular first-team football.

However, Man United are understood to have higher priority targets in that area of the field, while Coman himself has poured cold water on speculation that he could leave the European champions.


Erling Braut Haaland

Erling Braut Haaland in action for Borussia Dortmund on November 28, 2020© Reuters

Position: Striker
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Rumoured price tag: £90m
Interest level: High

Reports have suggested that Erling Braut Haaland has now overtaken his Dortmund teammate Sancho as Man United's top long-term target, although the prospect of that deal happening in January is virtually non-existent.

Haaland has repeatedly expressed his happiness at Dortmund for now and, while Real Madrid are thought to be lining up a move in the summer, Man United are more likely to wait until a release clause comes into play in 2022 to make their swoop.


Ozan Kabak

Ozan Kabak in action for Schalke on November 28, 2020© Reuters

Position: Defender
Current club: Schalke 04
Rumoured price tag: £22.5m
Interest level: Low

At 20 years old, Ozan Kabak has been earmarked as a potential centre-back star of the future, despite Schalke's dreadful form in the Bundesliga so far this season.

Liverpool and AC Milan have also been linked with the Turkey international, while Crystal Palace are understood to have entered the race too. Manchester United are not thought to be actively pursuing their low-level interest, but are keeping tabs on him as they continue to look for defensive options.


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Independiente del Valle's Moises Caicedo pictured in September 2020
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