Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Fabinho, Gelson Martins

Fabinho has played down suggestions he'll leave Ligue 1 side AS Monaco. The Brazilian full-back is a target for Manchester United but has stressed he's content to stay in the French top flight for the foreseeable future.

Speaking to French publication L'Equipe (h/t Charlie Phillippe of the Daily Express), Fabinho denied he wanted to move in the summer while also asserting he's content at Monaco: "I could have already done it, but I'm under contract here. I feel good here. I'm an important player in one of the best teams in the league."

Fabinho's words may disappoint United, who spent most of the summer pursuing the highly rated defender. In fact, a report from L'Equipe (h/t Kaveh Solhekol of Sky Sports News) revealed how Monaco were holding out for £25 million from the Red Devils and other interested parties back in August:

However, the rugged right-back eventually signed a new five-year deal in September to stay at Monaco, per the Sun's Anthony Chapman. Still, that hasn't stopped rumours of the South American defender eventually moving to Old Trafford.

Recently, Goal's Kris Voakes reported Monaco had placed a €40 million price tag on Fabinho. Voakes also indicated the fee wouldn't be lowered "until at least next summer."

The price tag is prohibitive, but United could use a full-back with Fabinho's qualities. He's quick, bright and a force in the air, while his defensive qualities outweigh what he does going forward—a rarity at his position in today's game.

However, United manager Jose Mourinho wouldn't care about that. He's a strategist who always builds from defence outward. The core to his thinking is often a flat back-four opponents find a nightmare to try to break down.

Mourinho worked with Fabinho at Real Madrid and also needs an upgrade at the position with United. Winger Antonio Valencia continues to gamely man the berth, but Mourinho isn't convinced by Italy international Matteo Darmian, who has been linked with a January exit by his agent Fausto Pari, per Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail.

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Mourinho may find it too tempting not to test Fabinho's resolve again, despite the player's latest words.

United Among Host of Top Clubs Keen on Gelson Martins

The Reds missed out on Fabinho, and they may find it tough to sign Sporting CP winger Gelson Martins. A host of Europe's top clubs have reportedly joined United in scouting the dynamic, young Portuguese attacker.

A report from the Daily Mirror added Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid to the list of suitors keen on 21-year-old Martins.

It's said Sporting are trying to ensure they get maximum value if the club is ever forced to sell, according to the Mirror: "Sporting are now trying to renegotiate a bigger contract as his current deal is £2,000-a-week as it is from his early days at the club and includes a £50m buyout."

Of course, United's history of buying from Sporting is pretty extensive, with the Old Trafford club previously signing wide forwards Nani and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Martins is already commanding a similarly lofty reputation to that pair. United could use another winger, especially since floundering forward Memphis Depay is being linked with a January switch to AC Milan, according to James Gray of the Daily Express.

Mourinho's squad rebuild needs more inspiration in the final third. Martins could provide it as a swift-footed trickster ideal for a counter-attacking team.

United invested heavily this summer, but more money is sure to be spent in subsequent windows as Mourinho continues to refine his squad.