Ruben Amorim may wish to utilise the January market to bolster Manchester United's ranks ahead of the second half of the season, but has already ruled out one transfer possibility.
The head coach has promised not to raid his former players at Sporting CP in the winter, meaning a mid-season move for Viktor Gyokeres is off the table. However, reports suggest talks have already begun regarding a potential summer transfer.
Amorim has not ruled out renewing ties with Sporting players next summer, with United expected to enquire about 17-year-old Geovany Quenda. Gyokeres might also be another attacker they look at, but apparently will face competition from Manchester City.
Meanwhile, rumours continue to swirl that a new deal for Amad might be on the horizon. He was the standout player against Everton on Sunday and has generally impressed.
His current deal expires next summer although there is a one-year extension option that can be triggered.
Stay up to date with the latest Manchester United news in our live blog below.
United receive huge Leny Yoro boost
Leny Yoro is set to be included in Manchester United's squad to face Arsenal at The Emirates, having been spotted travelling down to London.
Yoro has yet to make his competitive debut for United after suffering a fractured metatarsal injury in pre-season.
He has been carefully handled during his recovery and United have not rushed his return to decrease the chances of a repeat injury - but his first minutes could come against Arsenal on Wednesday.
Gyokeres reports dismissed
Portuguese sports news outlet A Bola, as per Sport Witness, has stated that reports claiming Manchester United have initiated talks with Viktor Gyokeres are wide of the mark.
The Sweden attacker's agent was rumoured to have been contacted by United regarding a possible summer reunion with Ruben Amorim at Old Trafford.
However, these claims have been dismissed with it touted that no such interaction has taken place. Amorim has peviously outlined how he will not be raiding Sporting CP for any players in January.
Gyokeres transfer message is exactly what United want to hear
In-demand Sporting CP striker Viktor Gyokeres has already revealed his aspirations to test himself at the highest level amid Manchester United links.
Links over a reunion with his former head coach Ruben Amorim will be persistent in January and beyond and the 26-year-old has hopes of achieving more in his career.
Reports claim United have held talks with his representatives ahead of a proposed move to Old Trafford, and the Reds know exactly what they'll be getting from the Swedish striker if they were to make a move.
Erik ten Hag 'line up' for next job
A report from Sky Germany claims Erik ten Hag will be one candidate considered for the managerial role at RB Leipzig should current boss Marco Rose be sacked.
After a promising start, the club have fallen nine points behind in the Bundesliga title race and are pointless after five games in the Champions League.
Ten Hag would be an appelaing option for the German outfit given he is not tied to a club and thus would not incur a compensation fee to prise out of a contract.
Newcastle 'in for' Gyokeres
Newcastle United are apparently in talks with the agent of Viktor Gyokeres over a potential transfer.
The Sporting CP striker has been linked with Manchester United ever since Ruben Amorim was appointed as head coach, albeit a January move is not on the cards.
But a speculative report from website FootballTransfers claims Newcastle are in talks with the player said to be interested given the playing time assurances he would recieve.
It is thought the Magpies are preparing for the exit of Alexander Isak.
United 'consider' free agent move
United might look to bring in Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret, 27, next summer with the Italian thought unlikely to pen a renewal at his current club.
Andre Onana is currently comfortably first-choice at Old Trafford. Current back-up Altay Bayindir has played just three times for United since his arrival in 2023, none of which have come in the Premier League.
United are backed to have competition for Meret's signature, with Inter Milan touted as transfer rivals.
Juventus star on United's radar
Reports in Germany suggest United are keeping tabs on Juventus star Kenan Yildiz, who might evolve into one of the club's top targets.
The midfielder is thought to have impressed United scouts, given his four goals and three assists in 19 matches this term.
However, the 19-year-old feels at home at Juventus and supposedly has no intention to leave for England.
Excl | Kenan #Yildiz is one of the top names on Manchester United’s shortlist for the attacking midfield position. The club is impressed by his development and continues to monitor the 19 y/o closely #MUFC are keeping an eye on this position for the summer. However,… pic.twitter.com/sRBO9RRjuH
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) December 2, 2024
Zirkzee transfer claim ahead of January decision
Joshua Zirkzee was back in the starting line up and back in the goals for Manchester United over the weekend, but that hasn’t stopped talk over his future at the club.
The striker played the full 90 minutes and scored a brace in Sunday’s 4-0 win over Everton. The goals were the forward’s first since his opening day strike against Fulham back in August.
Italian reports have previously claimed that Zirkzee is seriously considering leaving United and is reported to prefer a move back to Serie A.
United 'admirers' of Frankfurt star
United are reportedly tracking Frankfurt midfielder Hugo Larsson, who has four goals and an assist in 19 games this season.
The 20-year-old has apparently grabbed the attention of Untied chiefs, with Real Madrid also taking a fancy, says Sky Germany.
The report says Frankfurt might be tempted to sell if a substantial offer arrives for the Sweden international.
Update on Amad contract
United are yet to trigger the one-year extensions in the contracts of Amad and Harry Maguire.
Both players are approaching the final six months of their contracts but United have the option of an additional year to tie the duo to the club until 2026.
United usually trigger the extension in players' contracts in the winter to avoid them being free to negotiate pre-contract agreements with overseas clubs in the January transfer window.
United 'losing' in chase for defender
United have been painted as lagging behind in the race for Benfica defender Tomas Araujo, who A Bola claims is being tracked by the Reds.
Chelsea are also thought to be keeping tabs on the centre-back, but Crystal Palace look to be making the most concerted effort for him.
But any January approach looks to be futile with Benfica planning to extend his contract until 2029 and submit an £83m release clause into his deal.
Yoro encouragement
Leny Yoro is expected to make the squad for Wednesday's clash with Arsenal, when he could make his competitive debut for United.
Yoro suffered a fractured metatarsal in pre-season but injury expert Ben Dinnery believes this will not have any long-term impact once he has fully recovered.
"So once that bone is healed you're not going to get any real sort of long term issues with that, or rarely do you,” Dinnery told MEN Sport via Lucky Block.
United 'in talks' for Leipzig left-back
United are said to be holding concrete dicussions for RB Leipzig left-back David Raum, with Ruben Amorim keen to bolster his options at wing-back.
Sky Germany says formal talks with the defender have already taken place and chiefs will continue to monitor his progress in Germany.
United might find negotiations tough, with Raum's contract not expiring until 2027. He cost Leipzig £25m in 2022 but is likely to go for more given his 13 assists from 40 macthes last season.
Dalot 'spied' by Real Madrid
Reports in Spain moot that Diogo Dalot would be one of their alternative targets if they cannot tempt Trent Alexander-Arnold into a move.
Relevo is claiming that United have set a price tag of £41.5m on the right-back, who has a contract at Old Trafford until 2028.
Alexander-Arnold is thought to remain Real's primary target but are drafting up back-up options should he pen a new deal at Anfield.
Gyokeres latest
Sky Germany claims United have intiated talks regarding a move for Viktor Gyokeres next summer.
Ruben Amorim has ruled out a move for his former players in January but could raid Sporting CP in the off-season.
The report suggests Manchester City also hold an interest given incoming sporting chief Hugo Viaga is currently leading Sporting's board ahead of his summer switch.
Amad contract latest
United are expected to sit down with Amad to doscuss a new deal soon, amid the 22-year-old's from this season. The Ivorian sees his contract expire next summer, though there is the option for an extra year within his current deal.
The Manchester Evening News understands that United are expected to trigger that before discussing a renewal with the attacker.
A number of other outlets are currently echoing this claim. Amad has scored threr times and provided five assists in 19 matches this season.
Welcome
Good morning everyone and welcome to today's live transfer blog.
Stick with us for all the latest Manchester United updates, including the latest about Viktor Gyokeres and Amad's contract situation.
