Manchester United transfer news LIVE: Red Devils step up Zirkzee interest, Spurs hijack Nusa move, Branthwaite boost, Olise blow, Benzema loan rejected

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Updated: 9:14, 19 Jan 2024

Keep up to date with all the latest transfer news, gossip, and rumours from Manchester United in talkSPORT's live blog.

The Red Devils could be active in the January window with multiple first-team stars potentially being moved on this winter.

United have confirmed the investment of Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, however, the deal is still subject to Premier League approval meaning they won't be able to impact signings just yet.

Erik ten Hag will have his eye out for potential incomings though, while also possibly clearing out some deadwood.

Betting on transfers? Check out talkSPORT BET's latest odds

Follow our live blog below for all the latest Man United news...

Nu star

Tottenham are in advanced talks with Club Brugge over move for Manchester United target Antonio Nusa, talkSPORT understands.

Brugge value Nusa at £25m and want to loan the Norwegian back for the rest of the season.

The 18-year-old has four goals in 43 Belgian Pro League appearances after bursting onto the scene in the 2021/22 campaign.

Nusa became the youngest player in Champions League history to score on his debut during a 4-0 win over Porto in September 2022.

The winger has already won four caps at senior international level for Norway.

United were reported to have sent scouts to watch Nusa in the Europa Conference League and in the Belgian Pro League in September.

Credit: Getty

Mejia joins Mejbri

Manchester United have sent another of their young stars to Sevilla.

Following Hannibal Mejbri's loan move to the Spanish side, the Red Devils have now allowed Mateo Mejia to join him.

Mejia has signed for the La Liga outfit on a free transfer after failing to break into the first team after four years at Old Trafford.

United are said to have put a 25 per cent sell-on clause in the 20-year-old's contract.

Out of order

Erik ten Hag has been slammed for his treatment of Anthony Martial, with the Manchester United forward being made to train away from the rest of the teammates amid links with an exit.

Martial is due to leave the club in the summer when his contract expires but could depart this month if a bid comes in.

However, he's not currently training with the first-team. Ten Hag is making him work by himself in a bid to improve his fitness, having told reporters it's not a disciplinary issue.

But former Aston Villa captain Gabby Agbonlahor says the way the Dutchman treats his players is not right, admitting it's one of the worst feelings as a player to be made to train away from the group.

“It’s probably because Martial doesn’t want to leave,” Agbonlahor told talkSPORT. “Maybe a chance to leave has been offered and he hasn’t so he’s [Ten Hag] banished him like he did to Jadon Sancho.

“If it was a normal player, you train with the team and do extra with a fitness coach after training. He’s obviously been banished for a reason and Ten Hag’s done it again.

“It happened to me under Di Matteo at Villa, he made me play with the Under-23s and, I tell you, it’s the worst thing you can go through as a player. It's horrible."

Kambwala wanted on loan

Manchester United youth centre-back Willy Kambwala is drawing attention from various clubs who want to take him on loan.

The 19-year-old made his first-team and Premier League debut in December when he started the 2-0 defeat to Wes Ham due to the lack of defensive options.

He turned in a solid display as many of his teammates crumbled, but he has only played twice since.

United District claim several teams in England and beyond want to bring the defender in on loan, but he's likely to remain part of Erik ten Hag's squad.

Martial's agent hits back

Anthony Martial's agent, Phillipe Lamboley, has claimed his client isn't with the first team at the moment to have a procedure on an abductor problem.

The Frenchman has been absent for a few weeks with illness and talkSPORT understands the Red Devils want to sell him this month, but can't find a buyer.

However, his agent has refuted claims he's been exiled.

He said: “What is said about him is completely false. He was not excluded from the group and he has no problem with [Erik ten Hag].

"He is simply going to undergo a small operation on his abductors, which he should have done for a while and which did not allow him to be 100 per cent, so he will do it now.”

Given Martial's contract is up at the end of the season, it seems odd he's having an operation now.

Credit: Getty

Bergvall emerging as target

Manchester United are contemplating a move for Lucas Bergvall.

German reporter Christopher Michel claims the Red Devils are looking seriously at signing the Swedish midfielder.

The 17-year-old plays for Djugarden and had trials with Man United when he was 14.

Bergvall also supports the Red Devils and would cost under £10million.

However, there are many clubs in the race, including Newcastle and Atletico Madrid.

Not on

talkSPORT's Gabriel Agbonlahor has questioned Erik ten Hag's decision to make Anthony Martial train alone.

The Red Devils want to sell the striker this month but have received no offers for the Frenchman, who has faded with injuries throughout his career at Old Trafford.

The striker has been ill for the last few weeks, and in an effort to boost his fitness, United have told him to train separately from the rest of the first team.

But Agbonlahor isn't happy.

Speaking to talkSPORT he said: “It’s probably because Martial doesn’t want to leave.

“Maybe a chance to leave has been offered and he hasn’t so he’s [Ten Hag] banished him like he did to Jadon Sancho.

“Should Martial still be at Manchester United? No he shouldn't. He doesn’t put enough effort in but don't put him on his own. I don’t like the training on your own though, I don't like that."

'Not convinced'

With just a couple of weeks left remaining in this transfer window, Alex Crook has shared an update on what he expects from Manchester United.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe's 25 per cent stake in the Red Devils has yet to be confirmed, while the team are out of all European competition and are struggling in the Premier League.

Therefore, Crook doesn't see Man United parting with much money in the remainder of the window.

Speaking on The Transfer Window Show by talkSPORT BET, he said: "Will they spend big in this window? I am not convinced because they are out of Europe. They aren't going to make the top four, it's just the FA Cup to play for.

"I think they will be creative.

"Michael Olise is a longer-term deal, one to look at in the summer.

"Then you look at the outgoings, Jadon Sancho has gone to Borussia Dortmund. Mason Greenwood is out on loan at Getafe. Donny van de Beek has gone, and could Raphael Varane be out the door?

"His contract expires in the summer and Manchester United are not planning on taking up the year's option."

Vinicius not having the best season

It would be fair to say that Vinicius Junior's form in LaLiga has been poor this year.

Due to injury, he's only made 11 appearances, while with Jude Bellingham now their man attacking threat, the Brazilian has been moved into a different role.

He's used to playing on the left and cutting in, but Carlo Ancelotti has deployed him as a false forward to get the most out of Bellingham.

Unfortunately, this has limited Vinicius Jr's impact on games, and he shares very similar statistics with Marcus Rashford.

Rashford plays in Vinicius Jr's position, so if they do make a move, it would be fascinating to see what happens to the England international.

Vinicius Jr on radar

Manchester United are reportedly looking into an incredible swoop for Vinicius Jr.

Spanish outlet Sport claim the Red Devils would be willing to pay 150million Euros for the Brazilian winger's signature, who just recently scored a hat-trick against Barcelona.

Vinicius Jr is already one of the world's best forwards and Madrid consider him non-transferable.

However, United have been long-term admirers and are willing to reignite their interest in the winger.

And they could be helped by the fact Real Madrid need to finance a move for Kylian Mbappe, making this a possibility.

Credit: AFP

Martial not close to return

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is training alone amid speculation over his future at the club, talkSPORT understands.

The French forward has been sidelined since their defeat to Bayern Munich on December 12 with illness but is looking to regain his fitness.

It's standard procedure at the club for players coming back from a lay-off to train alone so Martial going solo at Carrington has not been forced on him.

However, it's understood there's a concern about the amount of games Martial misses and the effort he makes to recover.

The Red Devils are looking to offload him in January with his contract set to expire in June, however, the player is understood to be in no rush to leave.

Youngster set for exit

Manchester United youngster Alvaro Fernandez is set to join Benfica on a loan-to-buy deal, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The defender will sign for the Portuguese side on an initial loan with an option to make the deal permanent for £6million.

That option is triggered if Fernandez plays 50% of his games for the club as a starter.

United will have a buy-back clause while also having a sell-on clause should he move on from Benfica in the future.

Credit: Getty

Ramos made available

PSG are open to selling Portuguese star Goncalo Ramos before the January transfer window shuts, according to reports in France.

The 22-year-old Portuguese forward was signed by PSG in the summer from Benfica in a deal worth around £55.7million [€65m].

It's just over a year since Ramos announced himself on the global stage with a hat-trick at the World Cup in Qatar when he was picked over Cristiano Ronaldo.

But it's not worked out for him at PSG, where he has made only 19 appearances in all competitions this season, managing three goals and one assist.

L'Equipe claim manager Luis Enrique remains unconvinced by the forward and PSG chiefs have therefore decided they will cash in this month if the price is right.

Ramos was linked with a Premier League move before his transfer to Paris, with Manchester United among the clubs reportedly interested.

Credit: Getty

Amad for it

Manchester United starlet Amad Diallo has seemingly rubbished rumours of a January move to Middlesbrough.

The Ivorian, who impressed on loan at fellow Championship side Sunderland last term, has suffered an injury-hit campaign.

Having returned to full fitness Amad has been linked with another move back to the second division, this time at Michael Carrick's Boro.

However, the 21-year-old appears to have reacted to these reports by sharing a photo of himself in a Sunderland shirt on Instagram.

Credit: Rex

Away with the Bees

Former Manchester United defender Sergio Reguilon has arrived at Brentford's training ground to complete a loan move from Tottenham.

The Spanish left-back spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Atletico Madrid before a six-month temporary stint at Man United earlier this term.

Brentford are desperate for cover at full-back after Rico Henry was ruled out for the remainder of the campaign due to a significant knee injury in September.

The Bees have now struck a deal with Spurs and agreed personal terms with Reguilon.

Crisp reply

Gary Lineker has rubbished rumours Manchester United could be making an audacious move for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr.

Spanish outlet Sport claimed Los Blancos may offload the Brazilian in order to make room for Kylian Mbappe, with United tipped to swoop.

January blues

The old cliche of ‘there’s no value in January’ still rings true, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t a few gems.

Key signings at this juncture turn also-rans into title winners, with two Manchester United signings making up talkSPORT.com's best January XI.

Partnering Virgil van Dijk, Nemanja Vidic was relatively unknown at the time he signed from Spartak Moscow in 2006.

Now widely recognised as one of the league’s best-ever defenders, Vidic’s partnership with Rio Ferdinand is the stuff of legend, and the Serbian left for Inter in 2014 with 15 major trophies under his belt.

His teammate Patrice Evra takes the left-back spot, having become a club legend after swapping Monaco for Old Trafford in 2006.

Snapping up the France international for £5.5million, it’s fair to say they scored one of the biggest bargains in league history.

Evra went on to win 14 trophies as a Red Devil, notching five Premier League titles to become one of the greatest defenders the division has ever seen.

Karim Benze-nah?

Rio Ferdinand says Manchester United could not say ‘no’ to Karim Benzema if they had the opportunity to sign the Frenchman.

When asked if signing the veteran striker would be a positive move for Erik ten Hag’s side, Ferdinand told the FIVE YouTube show: “Listen, Benzema, how can you say no?

“We‘re going back to what we’ve done before. We’ve done it with Cristiano [Ronaldo], we’ve done it with [Radamel] Falcao, we’ve done it with [Edinson] Cavani, we’ve done it with Zlatan [Ibrahimovic].

“Can we Afford it? Probably not, that’s why I don’t see it, I’d be very surprised."

Devil may care

Nigerian starlet George Ilenikhena has revealed that Manchester United are his favourite club.

Speaking to Het Laatste Nieuws, the 17-year-old Royal Antwerp ace admitted he is eyeing a switch to the Premier League in the future.

“I used to watch a lot of matches in the Champions League, I saw how players like Cristiano Ronaldo scored goals. Now I was there myself. That first moment after my goal… I couldn’t believe it,” he said.

“He is the best footballer of all time. He inspires others and is also a good person off the field. I watch his videos all the time. So, it should come as no surprise that Manchester United are my favourite club, right? Cristiano played there, didn’t he? But I also really like Mbappé or Haaland.”

“Where do I want to be in five years? I hope for the Premier League. That competition really appeals to me,” Ilenikhena added.

Gray matter

Manchester United have been dealt a blow after reported target Archie Gray has signed a new contract at Leeds.

The 17-year-old has been a key part of Daniel Farke's side this season and had begun to attract interest from the Red Devils due to his performances.

However, the Whites have managed to tie down the youngster, fending off any approach from Premier League sides.

Speaking after signing a new deal, Gray said: “It feels amazing, it’s another dream come true.

“Supporting Leeds and following the club my whole life, it is just a dream come true, like I said.

“It means a lot to me and my family, the club trust me and trust my family and hopefully I can repay it."

Credit: Getty

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."

Credit: Getty

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.

Credit: 2023 Manchester United FC

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.

Credit: Getty

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.

Credit: Getty
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