Manchester United Transfer Rumors: United Reportedly Interested in Kurt Zouma

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Saint-Etienne's Kurt Zouma as the January winter transfer window approaches its completion.

The French teenager is considered one of the best defensive talents in the country and has been closely monitored by United manager Sir Alex Ferguson and several scouts over the course of 2012, with the Manchester club clearly impressed by what they saw.

Per The Independent:

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Manchester United have identified Saint-Etienne's French teenage centre-half Kurt Zouma as a potential acquisition and are taking an active interest in the player's current contract talks with his club.

Sir Alex Ferguson's brother, Martin, was due to watch Saint-Etienne's match against Lille last week—a goalless draw, to see the France Under-19 player—who has attracted the interest of a number of Premier League clubs.

United's interest has led several British clubs to believe there might be some type of pre-contract agreement between the  defender and United, but Zouma's agent said that was not the case.

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The defender is valued at around £10 million at the moment, which could turn out to be a great long-term investment for the Red Devils' defense.

Ferguson is thought to be in the market for young replacements for aging defender Rio Ferdinand and, to a lesser extent, Nemanja Vidic. Thus the 18-year-old Zouma, who has starred so far in Ligue 1 this season, could well be a viable option for the veteran manager to pursue.

Zouma is believed to be in current negotiations with his present club about a new contract, meaning that the Red Devils would most likely need to work fast for a deal to take place either now or in the summer transfer window, like new signing Wilfried Zaha.

Footage of the rumored 18-year-old defender can be seen here.

Neither Manchester United or Saint Etienne have commented on the rumor.

Should Manchester United make a move for Kurt Zouma this winter?

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