Manchester United transfer news and rumours: Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko 'a target for Jose Mourinho'

Tiemoue Bakayoko
Tiemoue Bakayoko is also attracting interest from Manchester City and Chelsea Credit: AFP 

Rumours

We begin our daily round-up of Manchester United transfer news with a report from The Daily Record claiming that Jose Mourinho is after Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.

The powerful central midfielder, who has been capped by France at under-21 level, is also attracting interest from Chelsea and Manchester City, and has established himself this season as one of the most talented holding players in Europe. 

Monaco would demand around £22m for the 22-year-old, which is unlikely to put off any of his potential Premier League suitors. 

United of course were willing to part with more than £35m up front to sign Anthony Martial from Monaco in September 2015. 

Elsewhere, The Mirror claims that James Rodriguez has issued a "come and get me plea" to Manchester United after falling down the pecking order at Real Madrid. The Colombia forward would cost United around £50m. 

James Rodriguez
James Rodriguez could be Old Trafford bound

Manchester Evening News reports that united are still interested in Atletico Madrid pair Antoine Griezmann and Saul Niguez, who would command a joint fee of around £75m. 

The Star meanwhile reports that United are in for Chievo Verona goalkeeper Alessandro Confente, who is also a Juventus target. The 18-year-old plays for Chievo's youth team but has been attracting interest from United for some time, and is valued at around £4m. 

News

Now focusing more on players who could be leaving Old Trafford, Mourinho has told Fox Sports that he would be "more than happy" for unsettled Everton target Memphis Depay to stay. 

“I was informed by the club that there is a chance Memphis could leave," Mourinho said."From a human point of view, I cannot stop him from leaving when he is not playing under me.

"If he is staying, I would be more than happy because he is a fantastic guy and a very good player. I feel so sorry that I am not giving him opportunities to play. A player of his age needs to be playing matches.

"If he stays with me, for sure, he will play some games because we have so many matches."

The equally unsettled Morgan Schneiderlin, who has been linked with Everton, could also end up staying this month, with The Mail suggesting that an impasse has been reached with the two clubs. 

The Merseysiders do not want to pay more than £20m for the midfielder, but United are holding out for closer to the£24m they paid for him 18 months ago. 

West Brom also retain an interest in the Frenchman. 

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