Manchester United rumours and news: Neymar bid; Bertrand move; Renato Sanches talks; Ashley Cole rethink

A look at today's gossip from Old Trafford

Tom Sheen
Saturday 23 January 2016 07:07 EST
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(2015 Getty Images)

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Manchester United are again linked with whopping bids for players across Europe this morning.

Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport's English website Gazzetta World report the quite sensational news that Brazilian superstar Neymar wants to leave Barcelona and United will fight rivals Manchester City for his signature.

Neymar, 23, apparently wants to be the top dog at a club rather than having to play second/third wheel behind Lionel Messi and Luis Suarez.

There is no price tag given but the fee would be massive.

The Daily Mail report that United have been in talks in London with Benfica wonderkid Renato Sanches since Friday.

United have watched the midfielder, 18, three times in recent weeks - he is expected to cost around £30million.

Ashley Young's groin surgery has left United's squad desperately thin in defence, with Luke Shaw, Phil Jones, Marcos Rojo and Antonio Valencia all missing.

Van Gaal is said to have identified Southampton and England defender Ryan Bertrand as a target, according to the Daily Star.

Bertrand cost the South Cost club £10m last summer but they are likely to ask for double that.

As Mark Ogden reported in today's Independent, Van Gaal is having a rethink over signing former Chelsea, Arsenal and England left-back Ashley Cole.

The 35-year-old is a free agent after he terminated his contract with Roma. Van Gaal had not been keen initially but now the shortage of defenders could see him move

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