Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Islam Slimani, Renato Sanches Rumours

Manchester United reportedly remain interested in Sporting Lisbon’s prolific forward Islam Slimani, even though Premier League rivals Everton have been told there is no chance of a deal going through mid-season.

According to Portuguese newspaper Record (h/t Sport Witness), the Lisbon side have turned down an €18 million (£13.5 million) bid for the Algeria international from the Toffees and have run with a headline of “Not Out” in respect of the striker.

Here’s a look at how the story was covered in the newspaper, per Sport Witness:

However, it’s noted in the piece the Red Devils, as well as Leicester City and Crystal Palace, remain keen on the forward. “Scouts from Manchester United have attended Sporting games this season, and Record say they've been especially impressed with Slimani's goalscoring, the last time they watched he netted twice and was Man of the Match,” noted Sport Witness.

Having bagged an impressive 17 league goals in 18 appearances so far, it would be little surprise if Slimani was getting so much attention. Here is a glimpse at what he could offer Premier League outfits:

United certainly have a lot more pulling power than Everton, despite their struggles in the league this season. The Red Devils could do with a fresh face at the point of the attack, too, with Wayne Rooney blowing hot and cold throughout the campaign and Anthony Martial, while a brilliant prospect, still raw in aspects of his game.

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Slimani is in tremendous form at the moment, and with his rounded style of forward play, he would bring a lot to the table. As noted by Portuguese football expert Tom Kundert, he’s been getting better and better during his stint in Lisbon:

Sport Witness claim a deal is more likely in the summer, though. According to the piece, a release clause of €30 million (£23 million) comes into play at the end of the campaign, which United could trigger. At the moment, with Slimani scoring goals and winning games for Sporting, it’d be a huge surprise to see him go anywhere in the final stages of the transfer window.

United Still Chasing Renato Sanches

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According to Jack Gaughan of the MailOnline, Benfica wonderkid Renato Sanches is a “firm target” for Manchester United in the final stages of the January window.

“The 18-year-old has a buy-out clause of nearly £60 million but United are negotiating hard,” writes Gaughan. “The Portuguese giants have put a high price on the teenager but are expected to sell for around half that sum, with add-ons.”

The youngster is rated as one of the most exciting teenage players in the world and has burst on to the scene in spectacular style. Here is a glimpse into what he could offer:

Few would have expected the Portuguese youth international to have made such a superb impact this season. Sanches has been touted as a star of the future over the last 12 months, but since getting his chance in the Benfica side in October, he hasn’t looked back.

As Portuguese football journalist Jan Hagen notes here, the teenager has already become a vital player at this illustrious club:

A £60 million outlay is too much for United at this point, in spite of the obvious gifts Sanches has. Of course, he could end up as a critical player in the Red Devils side for the next decade if things went perfectly, but the youngster has only played 12 top-flight matches for the Portuguese giants.

If a deal could be done for half that amount, as Gaughan suggests, this could potentially be a wonderful long-term purchase for the Red Devils. But with Benfica chasing the title on the domestic front and still in the UEFA Champions League, it’d be a big surprise to see them cash in on Sanches with next to no time to draft in replacements.