Manchester United Transfer News: Paulo Oliveira Talks Up Move, Latest Rumours

Sporting Clube de Portugal centre-back Paulo Oliveira has hinted he would be open to a move to Manchester United following reports he is being eyed by the Old Trafford club.

It recently emerged that United boss Louis van Gaal had sent scouts to cast their eyes over Oliveira with a view to putting a £6 million bid in for him in the January transfer window, per the Daily Mirror (via Alex Harris in the Daily Star).

The Portuguese defender responded positively to the link but stressed he is happy in his role with Sporting, per Portuguese outlet Antena 1 (h/t Marc Williams in the Daily Star): "It’s a good sign. I don’t know the truth of these claims, but it’s good to know that your work is being assessed and I have continue to work so as to not rest on my laurels. I’m happy to be here and I hope to win more titles."

Oliveira, 23, made a £1.2 million switch to Sporting from Vitoria Guimaraes in the summer of 2014. 

Per Portuguese football writer Jan Hagen, he was impressive in his debut season for the Lions and starred for Portugal in the summer at the UEFA European U-21 Championship:

As Hagen noted, Oliveira was brought in by Sporting in the same summer Marcos Rojo left the club for the Red Devils.

The two clubs seemingly have a good relationship, as Rojo joined Nani and, of course, Cristiano Ronaldo among the players who have moved from the Portuguese outfit to United.

Oliveira could well join that trio in January, and he would be a sensible purchase from Van Gaal.

The Dutchman failed to add any new centre-backs in the summer, and although Chris Smalling and Daley Blind have been decent early in the campaign in central defence, there is a significant depth issue.

After conceding just five goals in their first seven matches of the new Premier League season, the Red Devils were thrashed 3-0 by Arsenal last time out, prompting Bleacher Report's Jonathan Johnson to predict another defeat against Everton on Saturday:

Van Gaal's defensive unit is far from the finished article and the addition of Oliveira would provide added depth and a potential long-term partner for Smalling.

Meanwhile, out-of-favour Red Devils goalkeeper Victor Valdes has been ruled out as a potential target for Newcastle United.

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Recent rumours suggested the wantaway Spaniard may be destined for St James' Park as a replacement for the injured Tim Krul, but the Newcastle Chronicle's Lee Ryder insisted there is no truth in the link.

Per Daniel Taylor in the Guardian, Van Gaal's relationship with Valdes has deteriorated, and the player is destined for the exit door at Old Trafford in January.

While many clubs would likely jump at the chance to snap up the experienced shot-stopper, Newcastle are seemingly not one of them.