Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Red Devils step up Zirkzee interest, Branthwaite boost, Olise blow, Benzema loan rejected, Reguilon to Brentford

It's a no from Neves

Benfica have released a statement to deny any talks between midfielder Joao Neves and Manchester United.

The Red Devils had been linked to the 19-year-old wonderkid, however, it seems no negotiations have been or will be taking place.

A statement read: "Benfica denies the existence of any right of preference over João Neves.

“Under no circumstances has Benfica started talks with Manchester United or any other club about João — nor does it intend to do so."

Pellistri on the move

Manchester United youngster Facundo Pellistri looks set to join Spanish side Granada, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Pellistri is reported to have given the green light to Granada with negotiations ongoing over a loan move.

PSV Eindhoven and LA Galaxy were also interested in signing the winger, however, he looks to have decided on Spain.

Sergi-go

Former Manchester United loanee Sergio Reguilon is closing in on another temporary deal - this time, to Brentford.

talkSPORT revealed on Sunday that the Bees have held talks with the Tottenham defender about a loan move.

Fabrizio Romano has now claimed a deal is close to being agreed with Spurs, with the player's decision all that is left.

Reguilon was thought to be considering his options after spending the first half of the season on loan at Manchester United.

Return of the Special One?

Now former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is without a club, could we see the iconic boss make a return to the Premier League?

The 60-year-old has three Premier League titles to his name from his two spells at Chelsea, while he claimed the Europa League, Community Shield and EFL Cup.

Newcastle? Crystal Palace? Ally McCoist and Andy Townsend debated it on talkSPORT Breakfast this morning.

Eagle has not landed

Manchester United's hopes of a free run at a summer move for Crystal Palace star Michael Olise are set to be scuppered by interest from some big-name rivals.

Incoming minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe has put England international Olise at the top of his shopping list and talkSPORT revealed on Monday that United would be open to offering former Palace defender Aaron Wan-Bissaka in part exchange.

However, Chelsea, Manchester City and Arsenal have also been alerted to a release clause in Olise’s freshly signed new contract, believed to be well in excess of £50million.

Man United may have to get in early to secure the 22-year-old’s services.

Karim Benze-nah

Karim Benzema will not be leaving Al-Ittihad, despite an apparent desire from the player to quit his Saudi Arabia adventure.

Manchester United and Chelsea have been linked with a surprise interest in the former Ballon d'Or winner, with the striker's late return from his winter break fuelling the fire over a possible exit.

But talkSPORT's Saudi correspondent Ben Jacobs has poured cold water on those reports and explained why he may be forced to stay in the Middle East.

"With Benzema, the understanding is that due to a cyclone he got trapped in Mauritius and was late, and as a result is not going to be part of the Al-Ittihad's training camp in Dubai," Jacobs said.

"That's led naturally to this feeling, could he have got back [if he really wanted to], does he want to come back? And whenever you hear this smoke, there is fire, and that means - much like with Jordan Henderson - maybe the player is looking at options.

"But the reality is Al-Ittihad don't want to lose Benzema. The Man United links don't have too much to them and we've heard of reports of Chelsea interest as well, but the reality of the situation is there are no offers for the player yet.

"It wouldn't surprise me if Al-Ittihad and the wider Saudi deal-makers stop this from happening as far as a Benzema departure.

"If he becomes the poster boy for Saudi league exits and perceived failure, then the optics of that are not a good look."

Rat-Cliffe over troubled water

Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his Ineos team are already working on how to improve Manchester United's squad in the transfer market.

The incoming minority owner has told United supporters at a fans' forum that he is there to help take the club back to the top, not to make money.

Ratcliffe is expected to be in place by mid-February with his minority stake in the club still awaiting final approval.

But the British billionaire spoke to fans on Monday after watching United's 2-2 draw with Tottenham from the stands the previous day, and Manchester United Supporters' Trust has revealed what was discussed.

"His main message was that everything at United needs to be ruthlessly focused on creating winning teams on the field - something we are sure all fans will agree on," said MUST.

"He also expressed the view that he views our club as a 'community asset' and stressed that his purpose in taking a share in United is not to make money.

"We were able to set out to Sir Jim what we think the key priorities are - a clear plan to get back to the top, putting in place a football structure with the right people in the right roles; an investment plan in both the teams and the stadium; and building a genuine and strong partnership with fans that supports success."

A fan representative also said Ineos made it clear the immediate priority is fixing things on the field, telling PA: "I get the sense that they are not waiting for the details of the deal to go through.

"I get the sense that the work has started already."

Mour bang for your buck

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is looking for a new job after being sacked by Roma, and Saudi Arabia could be an option.

European football expert Andy Brassell told talkSPORT: "If you're looking for the next step, I think Saudi is the obvious one.

"None of the big clubs in the Premier League will take him.

"Paris Saint-Germain would've done anything to have him four or five years ago, but the last chance they had to get him, they said, 'No, he's too toxic now'.

"The way Mourinho behaved after losing the Europa League final, a lot of clubs said, 'He's not for us, he's not worth the baggage.

"He behaves like that every week."

Toff Luck

Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite has already been given a glowing report from club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy.

He made his Everton debut in 2020, a few month after joining from boyhood club Carlisle and spent last season on loan at PSV and it appears being exposed to first team action has worked wonders playing under Ruud van Nistelrooy.

"He is good on the ball, can play on the right or left of the centre because he is two-footed, has height and speed - he is a very complete defender," the Man United icon said.

While in the Netherlands he won the equivalent of the FA Cup and gained experience playing in Champions League qualifiers and in the Europa League.

Done deal

Manchester United midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has joined LaLiga strugglers Sevilla on loan until the end of the season.

As part of the deal, Sevilla have an option to buy the 20-year-old for £20million plus a further £3m in add-ons, the PA news agency understands.

United have also included a buy-back option and a sell-on fee if he departs elsewhere.

Hannibal joined United from Monaco in 2019 and has made 10 appearances this season but is expected to find his first team opportunities limited by the imminent returns of Casemiro and Mason Mount.

Sticky Toffee

Everton face being forced to sell Manchester United target Jarrad Branthwaite in the summer to avoid running into further financial issues, talkSPORT understands.

Branthwaite is wanted by both United and Real Madrid having establishing himself as one of the Premier League’s best defenders this season.

Cashing in on 21-year-old Branthwaite, who joined the Toffees from hometown club Carlisle as a teenager, would generate huge profits following the Merseyside club's latest charge for being in breach of Premier League profit and sustainability rules.

The 6ft 5ins centre-back is high on Man United’s new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s summer shopping list.

Scouts have watched him many times and were reportedly in attendance to see Everton play Aston Villa, which finished 0-0.

Defensive reinforcements

Reports from Sky Germany indicate that Manchester United are keen on Bayern Munich centre-back Matthijs de Ligt and Barcelona star Ronald Araujo.

Both are central defenders, although Araujo can play at right-back.

With Raphael Varane's long-term future at Old Trafford in doubt, the Red Devils are looking at options.

And these two are excellent at passing out from the back.

However, De Ligt has struggled to play that many Bundesliga games this season, with only four starts compared to ten in LaLiga for Araujo.

But if one of these players were to end up on the red side of Manchester, they would be significantly improving their defensive options.

On the Ron

Manchester United have enquired about Barcelona's Ronald Araujo, according to Sky Germany.

The Uruguayan is attracting plenty of interest across Europe with his contract set to expire in 2026.

Bayern Munich are said to considering a big money move for the versatile defender, and now United are also putting out feelers.

Sky claim the 24-year-old would cost over £75million in January, and that his preference is to stay in Barca.

Double Dutch

Erik ten Hag is considering a move for his former Ajax defender Matthijs de Ligt, according to Sky Germany.

The Netherlands regular has dropped behind Min-jae Kim and Dayot Upamecano at Bayern Munich this season and could be tempted by a move away.

On top of that, Bayern have since signed Eric Dier, and attempted to land Radu Dragusin, showing they may not have too much confidence in De Ligt.

Ras-matazz

Rasmus Hojlund might have scored against Tottenham but he might not be pleased with Marcus Rashford.

That is the verdict from United and Tottenham legend Teddy Sheringham, who believes Hojlund would have been 'tearing his hair out'.

Devil depart

Manchester United are expected to confirm the departures of Alvaro Fernandez and Hannibal Mejbri today.

Fernandez is expected to join Benfica on a permanent basis, while Hannibal has traveled to Spain to join Sevilla.

The deal for the midfielder to join Sevilla will be worth £17.2million plus add-ons, with the Red Devils holding a buyback option.

Lingard latest

Jesse Lingard has sacked his agent as he still looks for a new club.

Lingard has been a free agent since leaving Nottingham Forest at the end of last season.

talkSPORT understands that the former Manchester United man has split from his agents.

Everton had been linked with a potential move for him, but that has since gone quiet.

Bell of the ball

Gary Neville has praised Jude Bellingham for ignoring Manchester United's interest as a teenager, saying he's 'not sure sure' he'd be the superstar he is today had he moved to Old Trafford.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said: “I’ve spoken to a couple of players before they’ve come here and said ‘you’ll never regret it, it’s a magic football club’.

“But I have to say looking back, it looks like pretty poor advice with what’s happened to them since they’ve come and it’s really sad.

“They would have thrived at other clubs. Other players who have chosen other clubs have gone on to be really successful.

“You think of Jude Bellingham, and I think of that quite a lot, when he walks into the boardroom here at Man United, United have agreed a fee with Birmingham, and so have Dortmund.

“He has a choice between Dortmund and United. And somehow that kid, well done to him, chose Borussia Dortmund, and he’s now one of the greatest players in the world, one of the greatest English talents.

“What would have happened to him if he’d come here? I don’t know, maybe he would have been a success because he’s that good.

“I’m not so sure in the current environment and culture and what’s been happening.”

Mic drop

Michael Olise's performances for Crystal Palace mean that it's no surprise to see Manchester United interested.

Chelsea came close to securing a deal for the player last summer and while a hamstring injury derailed the Frenchman's early campaign, he's certainly come back firing.

With goals and assists regularly in his locker, the 22-year-old look like someone who is destined for the top.

Lu beauty

Roy Keane believes that Aston Villa star Douglas Luiz would be a good fit for Arsenal, describing him as ‘a quality player’.

Luiz was heavily linked with a move to Arsenal last year and according to Man United legend Roy Keane, such interest is no surprise given the level of performance that he’s putting in.

“He turns up every week this player,” said Keane. “Never seems to be injured. Quality player. I like him.

“I think he was linked with Arsenal last year. There are no surprises there, with some of the Villa players, you think they can certainly go on to play for a Man United, Arsenal or even Man City, you look at Watkins.

“But I like Luiz. He is consistent. Turns up week in and week out. You know what you are going to get from him. I like a lot about him. Probably lacks that real pace maybe.

“In terms of his decision-making and looking after the ball. Very, very good.”

Eagle-eyed

Manchester United would be open to a swap deal involving Aaron Wan-Bissaka to get Michael Olise this summer, talkSPORT understands.

The Red Devils exercised a one-year extension option on Wan-Bissaka’s contract last month amid interest from his former club.

The decision has now protected United from Palace re-signing their former academy graduate on the cheap or for free this summer.

He could now be used as a bargaining chip for top target Olise, who penned a fresh contact at Selhurst Park this season - although the deal was reported to have a release clause.

Olise is firmly on the radar of Erik ten Hag's side after impressing in recent weeks since recovering from a hamstring injury.

In nine appearances this term, the 22-year-old has scored five goals and provided one assist for Roy Hodgson's side.

Karim Benze-nah

Manchester United will not be making a loan move for Karim Benzema in January, talkSPORT understands.

Reports emerged over the weekend that the Red Devils were exploring the possibility of signing the former Real Madrid star from Al-Ittihad on loan for the second half of the 2023-24 campaign.

The 36-year-old has scored nine goals and registered five assists in 15 appearances in the Saudi Pro League this season.

However, Benzema is said to be keen on returning to European football having left Madrid on a free transfer last summer.

Han's away

Manchester United forward Hannibal Mejbri has arrived in Sevilla to complete his loan move.

The 20-year-old spent last season on loan with Birmingham, but has struggled to force his way into the United first team.

The loan deal will also include a buy option for the Spanish side to make the move permanent.

Han the man

Manchester United forward Hannibal Mejbri is closing in on a loan move to Sevilla.

Transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reports that the loan with an option to buy agreement has been completed between the two clubs.

Romano adds that Hannibal will have his medical next week.

Ratcliffe speaks

Sir Jim Ratcliffe expects the Premier League to approve his 25 per cent ownership of Manchester United by the middle of next month, but has refused to discuss his influence in the January transfer window.

Ratcliffe spoke publicly for the first time since agreeing to pay £1.2bn for a minority stake in United ahead of their Premier League home clash with Tottenham.

The INEOS owner also confirmed to reporters that he has spoken to United boss Erik ten Hag but has not yet met the players.

He said: “I'm very excited to be here. It is a big match, we normally do well against Spurs.

“I've met Erik but it would be inappropriate, really [to speak to players], until it's all formalised which should be early to mid-February, we hope. We hope they don't find anything dodgy in our CV!

“I've done a few exciting things. It's taken a few turns along the road, as you know, but it all turned out well in the end.

“I can't come all the time because I have a few other things to manage, but I'll come quite a lot."

Asked about his first impressions of Old Trafford and United’s Carrington training ground, Ratcliffe said: “I don't think that would be appropriate. Good question, though. You can give me a hard time in three or four weeks, then I'll do my best to answer the question.”