Manchester United transfer news: Atletico defender could join United, Red Devils want €50m sensation, and more - 3rd January 2019

Hello and welcome to the daily Manchester United transfer round-up - your one-stop shop for all the latest Manchester United transfer news and rumours!

We have already entered the transfer season and as it always happens, agents scurrying around to strike deals will be a common sight for the next few days.

Manchester United had a number of players on their radar prior to the opening of the transfer window. Now that the window is reopened, the Red Devils will look to bolster their squad by signing appropriate players.

They are in need of a world-class defender and it remains to be seen if Ed Woodward succeeds in delivering the required goods.

Without further ado, let's have a look a look at the top stories concerning Manchester United for today.

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#3 Eric Bailly could leave Manchester United

Eric Bailly has failed to cement a place in the starting XI at Manchester United

If reports from Spain are to be believed, Eric Bailly could quit Manchester United this month. He joined the Red Devils in 2016 for a fee of £30m from Villareal and has 18 months left on his current contract.

The Ivorian has failed to cement a place in the starting XI this season and might leave the club in search of more playing time.

Bailly featured rarely under Jose Mourinho and has made only 1 appearance in 4 games under interim boss Ole Gunnar Solksjaer this season.

Sevilla are interested in offering the 24-year-old a way out of the club, but it remains to be seen whether Manchester United agree to part ways with him this month. Also, the player's salary demands could prove to be a stumbling block in any of Sevilla's endeavours to sign him.

#2 Manchester United keen on signing Nicolo Barella

Nicolo Barella is being eyed by a bunch of European heavyweights

According to various reports from Italy, Manchester United are currently monitoring Cagliari youngster Nicolo Barella with a potential deal in the future. The player has no shortage of interested parties, with Arsenal, Napoli and Inter Milan all plotting a move for the midfielder.

Cagliari are demanding €50m for the 21-year-old, who made his Italy debut in October and has been a regular ever since then. Napoli reportedly offered €20m plus Marko Rog and Adam Ounas for Barella, while reports claim that the player prefers a move to Inter Milan.

The Italian, who is capable of functioning as a playmaker, has made 18 appearances for Cagliari and found the net only once in this campaign. It remains to be seen whether Manchester United agree on shelling out the asking price for the midfielder.

#1 Diego Godin could join Manchester United

Diego Godin could be on his way to Old Trafford next summer.

Signing a defender is the top priority at Old Trafford this transfer season, which is why Manchester United have been linked with potential moves for a number of centre-backs. And, one of that lot is Diego Godin.

According to Metro via Marca, The Uruguayan is far from signing a contract extension at Atletico Madrid. The negotiations have hit a snag since United offered the 32-year-old a three-year contract last summer.

Godin is now free to negotiate a deal with other clubs, and Old Trafford could well be his next destination.

Atletico chief executive Miguel Angel Gil Marin promised the defender a new contract and a salary hike if he snubbed United last summer. However, the club now claim that they won't be able to offer a new deal to Godin until the summer of 2019 owing to their salary restrictions.

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