Manchester United Transfer News: Lucas Biglia Bid Reported, Latest Rumours

Manchester United have made a £17.6 million bid for midfielder Lucas Biglia, according to the latest reports.

Per Simon Osborn of Metro, "Corriere dello Sport claim the Old Trafford outfit are in talks to sign the 29-year-old Argentina international."

The Argentine has attracted interest from Real Madrid in recent weeks. According to Football Italia, Biglia's agent told lalaziosiamonoi.it: "I will soon be in Italy for talks with president Claudio Lotito" regarding his future.

Biglia is an experienced campaigner, having joined Lazio in 2013 after a successful seven-year spell with Anderlecht, where he won four Belgian Pro League titles.

As WhoScored.com notes, the defensive midfielder is among the best that Serie A has to offer:

Biglia's ability to win and maintain possession would make him well-suited to English football.

However, as United have already recruited Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin this summer and now boast a wealth of talent in central midfield, a move for another midfielder would seem a strange one unless manager Louis van Gaal decides to move one of his other options on.

A defender and a striker should be the Red Devils' main priority for the remainder of the transfer window, so don't expect Biglia to be arriving at Old Trafford any time soon.

Manchester City to Compete with United for Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi

According to John Cross of the Mirror, Manchester City could try and win the race to sign long-term United targets Sergio Ramos and Nicolas Otamendi.

Alberto Saiz/Associated Press

Both Manchester clubs are in need of defensive reinforcements after their back lines struggled to convince last season.

Ramos and Otamendi are two of the best central defenders in La Liga and would make strong signings for either side.

Sports journalist Jonas Giaever highlights the qualities that would make each an excellent acquisition:

For United, an ideal summer would probably see them sign both in order to form a partnership reminiscent of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

City meanwhile are less desperate, as they can call on the excellent Vincent Kompany at centre-back and so would only need one more central option.

There are plenty of twists and turns yet to come in the Ramos and Otamendi transfer sagas, so it's not unthinkable they could both end up in Manchester on opposite sides.

The Red Devils remain the most likely destination, though, and will likely go all out in their pursuit of a top-quality centre-back. Expect at least one to be plying his trade at Old Trafford next season.