Transfer talk: Man United draw up list of forward targets, Real Madrid braced for Isco bids

The latest football transfer news and speculation from around European football as Manchester United line-up a succession of forward targets, and Real Madrid entertain a bid from Manchester City.

Real Madrid playmaker Isco, left, is a reported target of Manchester City, although interest in the Spain international will be high if Madrid decide to sell. Curto De La Torre / AFP

The latest football transfer news and speculation from around Europe as Manchester United line-up a succession of forward targets, and Real Madrid entertain a bid from Manchester City.

Manchester United

With the January transfer window now open, there are plenty of rumours doing the rounds regarding Manchester United, most commonly their continued interest in Southampton forward Sadio Mane.

The Senegal international was reportedly a transfer target in the summer, although Southampton refused to discuss any sort of deal.

However, the reports have resurfaced following Mane’s punishment from Southampton when he was dropped to the bench for the defeat aginast Norwich City for turning up late to the pre-match team meeting.

Almost inevitably, British media reports, led by the Daily Mail, claim United will attempt to take advantage of the situation by making an approach for Mane this month.

United may well be interested, but Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has made it clear he is not willing to let any of his regular players leave this month.

Of course, money talks but this deal could be more likely in the summer.

Sticking with United, media reports are suggesting the Premier League club will lodge a bid for Lazio’s Brazilian winger Felipe Anderson this month should their attempts for Mane prove fruitless.

Anderson, 22, enjoyed a breakthrough season last year, playing a key role in Lazio’s march to third in Serie A, but as the Rome club struggle this season — they sit mid-table in 10th — an imminent exit could be on the cards if United meet Lazio’s £30 million (Dh162.8m) valuation.

Real Madrid

In another report from the Daily Mail, Real Madrid are thought to be anticipating a bid from Manchester City for playmaker Isco but will only consider selling if their valuation is met.

Regarded as one of the most talented players in Europe and a firm fans favourite at Madrid, Isco is not a regular starter for Rafa Benitez’s side, starting just nine Primera Liga games this season.

If Madrid are prepared to let Isco leave for the reported £30m quoted in the media, expect City to have plenty of competition for his services. Chelsea, Manchester United, Juventus, nd Paris Saint-Germain have all been credited with an interest in Isco. Given City’s abundance of talented wide and central attacking players, a move for Isco in January would be a surprise, while attempts to improve their defensive options would be more logical.

Arsenal

They may be top of the Premier League table, but Arsenal could be set to improve their forward line by making a big-money deal for Borussia Dortmund’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, according to reports.

Aubameyang, 22, has been one of the stand-out strikers in Europe this season, scoring 24 goals in 23 appearances, and understandably is attracting a great deal of attention from some of Europe's richest clubs. Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has always maintained his faith in Olivier Giroud as his main striker, but The Sun has reported that the Frenchman would consider a move for Aubameyang in January.

It is highly unlikely, however, that Dortmund will allow their chief goal-scorer to leave midway through the season, particularly with the club well positioned in the Bundesliga table (2nd) and through to the knockout stages of the Uefa Europa League.

Juventus

More transfer speculation being recycled from the summer as Juventus continue their reported interest in Chelsea midfielder Oscar, according to Italian media reports.

Reigning Serie A champions Juve had placed Oscar at the top of their transfer wish list were Paul Pogba to leave the club in the summer, although with the France international staying put, interest cooled in the Brazilian.

However, reports have re-emerged claiming Juve will try to take advantage of Chelsea’s perilous situation to entice Oscar to the Juventus Stadium.

It would be a major surprise if Chelsea allowed any of their key senior squad players to leave this month given the absence of a full-time manager, so a move to Italy would be more probable at the end of the season.

Paris Saint-Germain

In perhaps one of the more surprising transfer stories of the day, Ligue 1 champions PSG are considering a move for Stoke City striker Marko Arnautovic.

The Austria international has been in fine form this season for Mark Hughes’ side, and his displays have reportedly resulted in PSG re-igniting their interest in the 26-year-old.

Once again, with Stoke aiming high this season and Arnautovic vital to their ambitions, it would be unlikely for a deal to go ahead this month. But as we all know, money talks louder than pretty much anything else in modern day football.

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