Manchester United Transfer News: Paulo Oliveira Scouted by Reds, Latest Rumours

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal may look to raid Sporting Lisbon once again in 2016 following news the Red Devils have already sent scouts to watch centre-back Paulo Oliveira in action.

That's according to the Daily Mirror, which has claimed the current Premier League leaders are hoping to cut a £6 million deal for the Portugal international this winter, via Alex Harris of the Daily Star.

Steven Governo/Associated Press

As fate would have it, Oliveira moved to the Portuguese capital from Vitoria Guimaraes in May 2014 as a supposed replacement for Argentina international Marcos Rojo, who ended up moving to Old Trafford a few months later.

The 23-year-old has excelled further in his development since then and was recognised by Metro's Primeira Liga expert Jan Hagen as a "star performer" in the U21 European Championships this summer:

United have been linked with a long line of centre-backs despite adding Rojo to their ranks last year, with Daley Blind rising to form a somewhat surprising first-choice partnership alongside in-form Chris Smalling.

However, Phil Jones has recovered from a blood clot and is looking to once again leave his mark on the first XI, per Stuart Mathieson of the Manchester Evening News: "I am just buzzing to be back now and happy to be back in the fold. Hopefully I can now get back into the team. Of course we can stay there. We have a great squad. Loads of talented players. There is no reason why we can’t win the league."

Oliveira has enjoyed an unburdened year since moving to Sporting last year and made 40 appearances for the club across all competitions last term, playing the full 90 minutes of every game so far this season.

It's true the Lions won't be keen on the idea of losing another aspiring star to the pulling power of United, but as was the case with Rojo (not to mention Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani), the allure can prove overwhelming for a target.

Despite being just 23 years of age, Oliveira is already having a big influence on first-team matters, as Sporting boast the joint-best defence in Portugal's top flight, a saving grace while their attack has been out of form.

Van Gaal will be pleased to see Blind coping so well in central defence, with the Manchester Evening News' James Robson seeing the Dutchman as undroppable for the time being, but the club would surely prefer a specialist thriving in that area:

Not since the glory days of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic have United looked solid at centre-back, and Oliveira strikes as hugely promising, albeit somewhat less experienced than fans might desire.

The deal seems like a no-brainer should United be able to do business at the prescribed fee of £6 million, but Sporting could prove difficult negotiators as they once again look to stave off the Red Devils' clutches.