Manchester United transfer news: United to splash £80m for star defender, audacious bid plotted for Chelsea star and more - 19th November 2018

Hello and welcome to the daily Manchester United transfer round-up for the day!

The January transfer window will be crucial for the Red Devils in their attempts to save their season. The club missed out on signing a number of top targets in the summer and will be keen to redeem themselves in January.

The rumour mills are already churning out brand new stories every day as we inch closer to the transfer window. Without further ado, let's have a look at what the rumours have to say today.

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#1 Everton Soares open to Manchester United move

Brazilian sensation Everton Soares could be open to a move to Manchester United next summer, according to reports.

The 22-year-old Gremio striker has raised eyebrows with his impressive 17-goal haul in 43 games in all competitions this season. Jose Mourinho is keen on bringing him to Old Trafford with Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez struggling for form and Anthony Martial's future yet to reach a concrete conclusion.

He is valued around £30 million and has also been on the radar of United's arch-rivals Manchester City. He is said to have a release clause of £53.5 million in the new deal he signed with Gremio in August.

Responding to the rumours linking him with a move to Old Trafford, he said:

"We all hear the rumours at some point, right?"

"I’m going through an exceptional phase, and we know how hard it is when clubs from England look at Brazilian players, for their quality."

"Let’s see what happens at the end of the season, wait until it is over, and see what’s best both for me and Gremio."

Everton's latest contract with Gremio expires in December 2022

#2 Man United hold talks with Pellegrini

According to Corriere Dello Sport via the Daily Mirror, Manchester United are said to be eyeing a winter move for AS Roma's rising star Lorenzo Pellegrini.

The Italian has been in fine form, having scored twice and made 5 assists in the Serie A this season. Jose Mourinho is said to be interested in signing him in order to redeem the club's transfer blunders in the summer and strengthen the squad for the remainder of the season.

United officials are said to have held talks with the player's representatives regarding a potential move to Old Trafford.

Roma are trying to tie Pellegrini down to a new deal. His current contract has a release clause of £27 million.

#3 Berbatov urges Mourinho to sign two players

Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has urged Jose Mourinho to sign one or two centre-backs in the upcoming transfer window.

Following a string of intermittent performances, the Red Devils are languishing in the 8th place with 20 points from 12 games. They have already conceded 21 goals in the Premier League this season.

Commenting on the situation Berbatov said, “Man United need to reinforce at the back especially centre-backs, one or two. In every other position, they have several quality players and everything they need, so just defence needs reinforcing. Hopefully they can find one or two and then they should be okay."

“It’ll be more difficult in the winter transfer window then the summer one to make signings for Mourinho but he should be able to find one person he wants to bring in."

“So if there is someone he wants to bring in the board should listen to him because it’s obvious that the club aren’t perfect right now and aren’t in the position that they want to be in. They need to improve on that, if it means bringing one or two people, it shouldn’t be a problem. I mean it’s not like Manchester United are short of money.”

#4 Manchester United want N'Golo Kante

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are plotting a move for Chelsea's midfield metronome N'Golo Kante.

With Nemanja Matic's form having faded and new signing Fred struggling to make an impact, Jose Mourinho eyes the Frenchman as the perfect man to shore up the crevices in the midfield.

Kante's current contract expires in 2021 and Chelsea have made it a priority to extend his deal in the coming weeks.

Manchester United are rumoured to be weighing up an audacious move to bring the Frenchman to Old Trafford, being totally aware of his status as one of the world's finest midfielders at the moment.

Real Madrid and Paris Saint Germain have also been linked with the World Cup winner and it is more likely that Chelsea will allow him to go abroad rather than letting him join their direct rivals.

#5 United plot £80 million bid for Kalidou Koulibaly

According to reports, Manchester United have decided to open talks over a potential move for Napoli's star defender Kalidou Koulibaly. The Red Devils view the Senegalese international as the perfect antidote to their defensive woes, with Eric Bailly and Chris Smalling falling short of the expected standards.

Koulibaly is regarded as one of the best centre-backs in the world at the moment and would be a massive plus point for the leaking United defence.

The Red Devils are interested in shelling out £80 million to secure the 27-year-old's services. But the sum could prove to be inadequate as Napoli expect nothing less than £90 million for their star defender.

Real Madrid, Barcelona and Manchester City are also rumoured to be interested in signing Koulibaly.