Manchester United Transfer News: Leander Dendoncker, Nemanja Matic, Top Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly set to scout RSC Anderlecht defensive midfielder Leander Dendoncker, while Chelsea are "increasingly resigned" to losing Red Devils target Nemanja Matic. 

According to Belgian newspaper De Morgen (via Sport Witness), United representatives, along with AC Milan and RB Leipzig scouts, will cast an eye over Dendoncker as Anderlecht open their 2017-18 league campaign against Antwerp on Friday, with the 22-year-old "high on [manager] Jose Mourinho's wanted list."

Anderlecht would demand a sizeable fee of around €38 million (£33.8 million) to let Dendoncker go, per De Morgen's report.

The Belgium international played a key role in Anderlecht's league title triumph last season and was also impressive as they reached the quarter-finals of the UEFA Europa League—he scored a late equaliser against United in the first leg of their last-eight clash.

Dendoncker is very capable in his deep-lying midfield role, a position where United need to strengthen and find a long-term replacement for 35-year-old Michael Carrick.

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However, it is unlikely United will want to shell out almost £35 million for the youngster, and Dendoncker may only move to Old Trafford if Anderlecht are willing to accept a much lower offer.

Additionally, the Manchester outfit may not need to go after Dendoncker if they can snap up Chelsea's Matic, 28, with whom they have long been linked.

The Serb would be a less risky purchase and almost guaranteed to perform as he has excellent Premier League experience having won the title on two occasions.

And United could be closing in on snapping him up.

Per James Ducker in the Telegraph, Matic has "signalled his desire" to leave Chelsea and play again under former Blues boss Mourinho at Old Trafford, rather than move to Juventus.

That puts United in a strong position to sign him, with Matic's Chelsea first-team future very uncertain after the signing of rival defensive midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko.