Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Thomas Muller, Marquinhos Rumours

Manchester United's chances of signing Bayern Munich's Thomas Muller are becoming ever slimmer, after the Bundesliga champions' chief executive, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, ruled out selling the striker in the next four years.

Per German outlet Bild (h/t Sky Germany's Jan Aage Fjortoft), Rummenigge insisted Muller will not be sold for any price in the remaining four years of his Bayern contract:

United have long been linked with Muller, and they reportedly put in a £65 million bid for the German forward at the end of the summer transfer window, per SportBILD (via Liam Corless in the Mirror).

However, Bayern rejected the bid, with Rummenigge saying it would be crazy to sell the 26-year-old, no matter the fee, per SportBILD (via Corless): "There are some players who just don’t have any price tag. We would be out of our minds to sell Muller."

United's interest in Muller is unsurprising, as is Bayern's refusal to sell him. He is a staggeringly effective goalscorer and has already netted six times this season in as many Bundesliga appearances, per WhoScored.com.

In apparent desperation at having missed out on Muller, Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal brought in 19-year-old striker Anthony Martial from Monaco for £36 million.

However, to the surprise of many, the Frenchman has made a brilliant start to his career in England, per Bleacher Report's Sam Tighe:

Despite Martial's terrific form, Muller would still be an outstanding addition to the United squad, especially as the Red Devils are lacking depth in attack, and Wayne Rooney—30 years old next month—is struggling for form.

Following Rummenigge's comments, though, the chances of United persuading Bayern to part with Muller in the next couple of seasons look close to zero.

The Old Trafford outfit may have more luck with reported former centre-back target Marquinhos, per Chelsea" target="_blank">Chisanga Malata in the Daily Star.

The 21-year-old Brazilian has struggled to displace David Luiz or Thiago Silva as Laurent Blanc's starting central defenders at Paris Saint-Germain.

His compatriot Alex—who now plays for AC Milan following a spell at PSG—has advised Marquinhos to move on from the Parc des Princes to guarantee first-team football, per French outlet L'Equipe (h/t Metro's Sean Kearns):

"

Marquinhos would fit in at any big European club. His problem is that two of the best players in the world in his position are ahead of him. 

If I was in his place I would leave PSG – especially when all the big clubs want him. 

During every transfer window, he gets magnificent offers. He’s young and should be playing to show his worth.

"

Marquinhos would surely have many more opportunities at United, as the defensive options available to Van Gaal are limited after the Dutchman failed to strengthen in the summer.

The former Roma player has the potential to become one of the top defenders in the world, and a move to Old Trafford could be beneficial both for the Red Devils and for Marquinhos himself.