Manchester United transfer news: Defender keen on move to United, Red Devils want Barcelona man, and more - 8th 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!

The Red Devils have been linked with a host of players prior to the start of the January transfer window, and now is the time to see whether any of those links actually tend to stand true.

In today's top stories, as usual, Man United have been linked with a defender, albeit a left-back and not a centre-back. According to a source, they are also inching closer to making their first signing in the window while one of their long-term defensive targets has expressed his desire to embrace Old Trafford as his home.

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

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#3 Manchester United on the brink of making their first winter signing

Manchester United are close to making their first signing in winter

Manchester United have accounted for a considerable amount of spotlight in this winter, and it looks like they could finally be signing a player by the time the January transfer window slams shut.

If reports from the English outlet The Sun are to be believed, the Red Devils are interested in the signature of Villareal's teenage defender Adrian Corral for their academy. The 16-year-old has already let the Spanish outfit known that he won't be signing his first professional deal with them.

According to reports, he is keen on joining the United academy and continuing his growth under Nicky Butt. The Red Devils, however, will have to shell out cash so as to compensate for Corral's four-year stay at Villareal.

The Spaniard, who can function as a left-back and a center-back, received his first Spain U-16 call-up in October.

#2 Red Devils could move for Jordi Alba

Jordi Alba's contract situation has alerted Manchester United

Manchester United have been put on alert after Jordi Alba's contract renewal talks with Barcelona hit a snag. According to reports from Spanish outlets Don Balon and Marca, the Spaniard wants to be on the same pay scale as his teammates Sergi Roberto, Sergio Busquets and Gerard Pique, who have already penned new deals at the club.

With his current deal set to expire in 2020, Alba wants to be one of the highest earners at the club. And, considering the star-studded CV that he boasts, the 29-year-old has no shortage of suitors for his signature.

According to Don Balon, Manchester United may face stiff competition from Juventus, Chelsea and Bayern Munich for Alba. The Red Devils haven't made any concrete offer for any player in the market yet, but it remains to be seen whether Ed Woodward and co make efforts to sign the Spaniard should he become available in the coming weeks.

#1 Kalidou Koulibaly interested in United move

Kalidou Koulibaly is said to be interested in a move to Manchester United

Even after Napoli rejected a massive bid from Manchester United for star defender Kalidou Koulibaly earlier, the reports linking him with a move to Old Trafford haven't yet ceased to be.

According to ESPN, the Senegalese center-back is said to be keen on a move to Old Trafford. The move, of course, will come to fruition in the summer since Napoli have refused to part ways with the defender in the mid-season.

Koulibaly is said to be on United's shortlist of defenders alongside Toby Alderweireld, Harry Maguire, Alessio Romagnoli and Milan Skriniar.

The 27-year-old signed a new five-year deal with the Serie A club in September last year, but United had hoped that they would be able to land him in January owing to Napoli's group stage exit in the UEFA Champions League.

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