Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Sadio Mane and Harry Kane Rumours

Southampton manager Ronald Koeman has insisted the club will not be selling Sadio Mane in the January window, despite reported interest from Manchester United and Chelsea.

Speaking ahead of Saints’ clash with Manchester City this weekend, the Dutchman once again faced questions about the Senegal international forward. But Koeman was blunt in his retort when assessing the prospect of any potential transfer.

“Rumours aren't important: We will sell nobody,” said the Southampton boss, per Nick Purewal of the Press Association (h/t the MailOnline). “You can ask again about Sadio, Man United, Chelsea, but we will sell nobody in January.”

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As reported by Purewal, there has been “persistent” talk of a possible bid from United in the midseason window, with manager Louis van Gaal clearly in need of an injection of quality in attacking areas of the pitch. At the moment, the Red Devils have been ponderous going forward, something which continues to frustrate supporters.

Despite the improvements made in the defensive setup, Bleacher Report’s Rob Blanchette wants to see more from United in the attacking third:

Mane could certainly enliven their forward line. The Southampton man seems to have grown as a player this season, operating in a more central position for much of the campaign and forming an exciting attacking triumvirate alongside Graziano Pelle and Dusan Tadic. Saints have played some of the finest football in the division as a result.

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The 23-year-old would bring a vibrancy and directness which United desperately need. However, as WhoScored.com prove with the following statistics, he’s still a player that is rough around the edges:

That wouldn’t necessarily be too bad a quality to have if the Red Devils were to land him, though. They need a player that’s willing to take chances on the ball in attacking areas, and Mane is someone who, while he will make mistakes, is always seeking to do something a little unorthodox.

Nevertheless, it’s clear Southampton do not want to cash in during the January window, meaning Van Gaal may have to wait until the summer before getting his man.

Harry Kane Going Nowhere, Says Mauricio Pochettino

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Tottenham Hotspur manager Mauricio Pochettino has reiterated his stance that star centre-forward Harry Kane will not be sold by the club any time soon, despite rumours about a bid from Manchester United or Chelsea.

According to the Daily Mail (h/t Jack Wilson of the Daily Star), the Blues and the Red Devils are set to battle it out for the England international during the summer, with Kane said to be valued at around £50 million. However, according to Pochettino, his long-term future remains very much at White Hart Lane, per Marc Williams of the Daily Star:

"

I am happy that a big club want our players—this is because they show they are a top player with top performances. It is good when they are linked.

But Harry, like Hugo Lloris, wants to stay here. He is one of the best players and he is very happy. He wants to grow up with us and try the next few years to try for the top four and win titles with Tottenham. This is his challenge.

"

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It’s a challenge Kane seems to be relishing, as he continues to bang in the goals. After a stuttering start to the season some worried whether the youngster’s excellent 2014-15 was a flash in the pan, but in recent weeks the goalscoring instincts that were so prominent last term have returned, with the forward notching his 10th of the season against Qarabag on Thursday night.

As we can see here courtesy of Squawka Football, 2015 has been a tremendous breakthrough year for Kane:

Although Spurs will want to keep hold of their man, of the two teams said to be interested, United surely have the better chance of signing Kane. Tottenham will not want to sell to their London rivals and given the torrid season currently being endured by the champions, they look unlikely to be able to offer Champions League football in 2016-17.

The Old Trafford outfit have long held a reputation for bringing in the best British players too, of which Kane is undeniably one at the moment. Nonetheless, Spurs seem to be going places under Pochettino’s tutelage and given just how much the forward seems to be enjoying life at White Hart Lane, it’d be a massive surprise if he didn’t remain there for a while yet.