January Transfer Window: 5 Manchester United Rumours from This Week

With the January transfer window slamming shut in just a few days, Sir Alex Ferguson still hasn't opened his chequebook. In fact, the only incoming player so far has been verteran playmaker Paul Scholes, who rejoined to help out SAF's crippled midfield.

So which players have been linked with a move to Old Trafford this week? Let's take a look.

Ricky Van Wolfswinkel

Click Manchester has suggested that Sporting Lisbon's Ricky Van Wolfswinkel is willing to listen to offers from the top clubs in Europe.

The Dutch striker only moved to Portugal last summer for a fee of €5.4 million. Transfermarkt.co.uk rates RVW at around €6 million; however, Sporting are likely to want a lot more than that for one of their prized assets.

If United were looking to secure the player's signature, then they would likely face a tug-of-war with the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool.

Dede

According to Caught Offside, Sir Alex is looking to bolster his back line by making a swoop for 23-year-old Brazilian centre-back Dede.

Dede has earned two caps for Brazil and has also won the best central defender at the Campeonato Carioca on two occasions.

In Brazil, he is nicknamed "Dedeckanbauer," comparing him to former Germany captain Franz Beckanbauer. He has roughly tallied a goal every five games—not bad for a centre-back.

Transfermarkt.co.uk values him at around £5.3 million, and he could no doubt be a solid investment for the future.

Jores Okore

Insidefutbol.com have linked Manchester United and Liverpool with relatively unknown defender Jores Okore.

The 19-year-old centre-back could be available for less than £1 million and his club, FC Nordsjaelland, have given their blessing for him to leave should a big club come knocking.

Okore is great when it comes to tackling and has been said to have a "calm head in defence." He's already notched two caps for Denmark, and he could be another candidate for SAF to consider when thinking of possible defensive prospects.

Leandro Damiao

The Daily Mail reported this week that Man United are set to join the race for 22-year-old Brazilian striker Leandro Damiao.

Spurs made a £15 million bid in the summer for the Internacional frontman; however, the club is reportedly holding out for £24 million.

Arsenal and Liverpool have also showed interest in the striker over the past few weeks.

Michael Ballack

In one of the more intriguing rumours of the week, stanjames.com, among others, has suggested that United could be interested in signing ex-Chelsea midfielder Michael Ballack.

The 35-year-old was linked to United in the summer when he was a free agent; however, he eventually joined Bayer Leverkusen.

Ballack has 98 caps and 42 international goals to his name, but you have to wonder whether United really need anymore "experience" in the midfield.