Manchester United Transfer News: Christian Benteke, Stefan Savic Rumours Emerge

Speculation linking Christian Benteke with an Aston Villa exit went rampant on Wednesday following some suspicious Twitter activity, while the Red Devils' search for a centre-back recruit has led them to Fiorentina's Stefan Savic.

The Daily Mail's Tom Bellwood reported Louis van Gaal's side are interested in a £32.5 million deal for the Belgium striker, leading Benteke to favourite a post regarding his potential link-up with Wayne Rooney:

Benteke would be free to speak to any club that opted to activate his £32.5 million release clause, and United are assumed to be in the hunt for a big-name signing up front.

Kristof Terreur of Belgian outlet Het Laatste Nieuws doesn't buy into the gossip, however, and believes there's a much simpler explanation to Benteke's recent social media actions—he's since "un-favourited" the tweet:

In an age where the slightest click of a button can be interpreted to mean where many millions of pounds will be forked out to secure a player, Benteke will be interpreted by some to favour an Old Trafford switch this summer.

Villans manager Tim Sherwood believes his leading frontman will remain at Villa Park next season, however, quoted by Bellwood as saying he won't actively chase an exit from the club:

"

I don’t think Christian would pull a sulk or anything like that. He knows there’s too much at stake. He respects the club too much. 

I’m confident that in my mind he’s a huge part of next season. He’s going to be very important for us.

A lot of teams have sold their one player, Gareth Bale, Luis Suarez, and then tried to get the same results by bringing in six or seven. It doesn’t happen, does it?

"

Sherwood would therefore suggest that if Benteke does leave the club for a big-money fee this summer, he'll be hoping to replace the star forward with another name of similar quality.

With Robin van Persie's move to Fenerbahce confirmed and Javier Hernandez being linked with a move to West Ham United, according to the Daily Mail, attacking reinforcements will be required at Old Trafford.

Michel Spingler/Associated Press

United's recent captures of Bastian Schweinsteiger, Matteo Darmian and Morgan Schneiderlin have shown a drastic desire to improve their options this summer, along with the signing of Memphis Depay.

It is possible Benteke's ambiguous "favouriting" does give some indication as to where he envisions his future, but it doesn't tell us whether the feeling is mutual.

Stefan Savic Drawing Old Trafford Interest

Marco Vasini/Associated Press

Atletico Madrid are hoping to lure former Manchester City defender Savic away from Serie A, but Manchester United's interest could see the Spaniards forced to pay an inflated sum for his services.

That's according to Jorge Garcia of Spanish daily AS, who writes the Red Devils have entered the race to sign Savic as they look to bolster their options in central defence.

La Liga totems Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi, of Real Madrid and Valencia, respectively, have been reported by talkSPORT as priority options for the Red Devils, but Savic is a new entrant on that list.

Fabrizio Giovannozzi/Associated Press

The Serbia international moved to Florence in 2012 after making just 12 Premier League appearances for the Citizens, but he has since come to find prominence with La Viola in recent years.

According to Garcia, Fiorentina are seeking a €15 million (£10.5 million) sum for their central defender, and Atleti have offered to send Mario Suarez in the opposite direction to sweeten the deal.

SB Nation writer Robbie Dunne doesn't see a Manchester United move as realistic, but he admits Van Gaal's need for a new centre-back does leave the discussion open:

Since moving to Italy three years ago, Savic has made 108 appearances for Florence across all competitions, per Transfermarkt, redirecting a career that lost some of its momentum at the Etihad Stadium.

Given the star-studded nature of United's recent recruits, one would think Van Gaal will hold out for a more elite candidate to become available, but Savic at least sits on the club's list of alternatives.