Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Lucas Biglia and Matt Ritchie Rumours

Manchester United are hoping the offer of a bigger wage packet will convince Lucas Biglia to choose Old Trafford over the Bernabeu this winter, while Bournemouth look to fend off interest in Matt Ritchie.

Spanish website Fichajes.net reported on Wednesday that the Red Devils will hand Argentina international Biglia an annual salary of £2.45 million, £350,000 more than Real Madrid are willing to offer (h/t Metro's Mark Brus).

Martin Mejia/Associated Press

It's understood the Lazio midfielder has reached an impasse in contract negotiations with the Serie A outfit, alerting the likes of United and Real to his availability, along with Premier League giants Liverpool.

England is seen as one of Europe's most lucrative destinations, and it appears Louis van Gaal's side will again look to their wallet as a means of convincing their target to join the cause.

Biglia moved to the Stadio Olimpico from Anderlecht in 2013 and has two-and-a-half years remaining on his deal with the Eagles, which is set to expire in 2018.

However, the player's agent Enzo Montepaone has insisted all speculation of an exit is just rumours at this point when he spoke to Italian outlet FCInter1908 and told of Inter's candidacy in the hunt for his client (via Football Italia):

"

I've heard, but at the moment there's nothing to speak about, just rumours. We have to speak with Lazio and [President] Lotito, they'll decide if the player will leave in January. I'll be in Italy next week, so we'll see.

Is he happy at Lazio? Yes, I'd say he's happy in Italy in general. Would he like to work with Inter Coach Roberto Mancini? I can't talk about that, I'll say something when there's something concrete, at the moment there's nothing.

"

Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin were brought in by Van Gaal over the summer to offer engine-room support, with the latter of those two seen as the more defensively minded recruit.

However, 29-year-old Biglia may even be considered an upgrade in the anchor department after Di Marzio translator David Amoyal picked him out as one of the "best midfielders" in Italy's top flight:

Real pose stiff competition in the race to sign Biglia, but United will hope the bright lights of Old Trafford and the sizeable contract to go along with them will turn his attention toward England.

The same might be said of Bournemouth attacker Ritchie, and although Cherries manager Eddie Howe told Sky Sports News he doesn't wish to sell his star, he failed to rule out a move altogether (h/t Daily Mail's Simon Jones):

"

Matty's (Ritchie) a good player so it's not a surprise to me he's linked to the top clubs. We'd have to see that (a bid) on its individual merit, but certainly we're not looking to sell him.

Matt Ritchie on form and playing well is a threat to anybody. Whenever any of our players gets linked, it's not welcome by us. We're not a selling club and we certainly want to keep the squad together if we can in January and not the other way.

"

After a poor start to their maiden Premier League campaign, however, Bournemouth may see some of their players tempted to leave should any big offers come in, such as interest from Manchester United.

The south-coast outfit currently sit 18th in the Premier League and are without a win in their last eight games, with Ritchie standing apart as one of their more impressive figures thus far.

Clint Hughes/Associated Press

The Scotland international has missed just a handful of minutes in the club's league campaign, netting two goals in 12 appearances and registering one assist, equal to having a direct hand in a quarter of their 12 goals this term.

However, Sport Witness reporter Tom Coast noted that after being linked with a player like Barcelona's Neymar, per the Mail's Pete Jenson, Ritchie doesn't size up by comparison:

Van Gaal already added firepower to his flanks over the summer by signing Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial, but there could be space for further recruits should the latter move into a more central position.

Jesse Lingard is also making waves at present, and although Gosport-born Ritchie might bring more British flavour to the squad, one has to question how fiercely the 26-year-old could challenge for a starting place.