Manchester United Transfer News: Top Stars Wanted in Fresh Red Devils Rumours

It’s official: Manchester United have now been linked with every conceivable footballer ever to grace the planet.

It’s our job to let you know who’s been linked where during the transfer window, from the believable to the less than believable—and we start here with the latter.

Well, according to the Sun, Manchester United have been in “discreet” talks with Barcelona forward Neymar over a big-money switch to Old Trafford—via Izzy Horsefield of the Daily Express.

Michael Sohn/Associated Press

Executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward has also reportedly made an “audacious” bid for the Brazilian. As for how much that is; well, it’s anyone’s guess.

Neymar currently has a £137.8 million release clause in his contract—per Metro—and he’s unlikely to leave the Camp Nou for even a penny less than that figure.

Plus, as Barcelona recently lost forward Pedro to Chelsea, the chances of selling the apprentice as well as the master are slim to say the least. Bleacher Report UK echoed that sentiment with a tongue-in-cheek tweet:

Still, the idea of Neymar making a world-record switch to the Premier League isn’t lost on some.

A Barcelona source told the Sun that the 23-year-old is exactly the kind of player who Manchester United should be targeting—via Horsefield:

“United are one of the biggest clubs in the world so it is right they should be chasing a player who has the potential to be the best player on the planet.”

That may be true, but the idea remains lost on even the most optimistic United fans. Armchair Devil gave his two pence on the secret talks:

However, as much talk has been of the misfiring Wayne Rooney up front for the Red Devils this season, it would hardly be surprising to see a new front man walk through the Old Trafford doors.

Will that man be Neymar? Sorry, gossip columns and blissfully ignorant fans, but no.

Karim Benzema

Daniel Ochoa de Olza/Associated Press

Yep, that’s right, Jamie Jackson of the Guardian (h/t Will Giles of Metro) suggests that United are in for Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema.

The Frenchman has been heavily linked with a move to Arsenal over the course of the summer, but he’s now reportedly being monitored by United just in case the move to the Emirates falls through.

Benzema is valued at around £45 million, a third of the price of Neymar, and while manager Louis van Gaal is said not to be after a new forward, an “elite” No. 9 would be tempting—via Jackson.

Oscar del Pozo/Associated Press

However, it seems that if Benzema is going to move on to pastures new, it’ll be to Arsenal.

According to journalist Emanuele Giulianelli, the 27-year-old will be unveiled in front of the Emirates faithful as soon as Monday evening:

I’m sure we’ll soon be reading that Van Gaal has one-upped Arsene Wenger, but until that time, sticking with the policy of “believe it when I see it” is advised.

The fact remains, though, that United are just a few players away from being a real force this season.

They haven’t quite performed to their potential just yet, but having that grit to get over the line while not playing particularly well is something that’s been missing for the last few seasons.

Hopefully a believable transfer rumour will soon be cooked up, as Van Gaal looks to add the finishing touches to his talented squad.