Manchester United Transfer News: Sergio Busquets, Renato Sanches, Top Rumours

Manchester United target Sergio Busquets is reportedly "losing patience" with Barcelona as the Catalan club continue to stall in offering him a new contact.

The Spanish midfielder, 27, has been promised a pay hike "to convert him into one of the best-paid players in the squad," but Barca now say no new deals will be offered before the end of the season, and Busquets' "patience is ending," per Sport.

The situation could present United with an opportunity, as they have previously been reported as "ready to pounce" if Barca cannot tie Busquets to a new deal, per the Sun's Matt Heath-Smith.  

Busquets is one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and would be a fantastic addition to the United squad.

They are currently short on enforcers in the middle of the park, and Bastian Schweinsteiger and Michael Carrick are both nearing the end of their careers.

Bringing in Busquets to partner the likes of Morgan Schneiderlin and Ander Herrera in central midfield would make United a much better outfit, as he can contribute brilliantly in defence and starting attacks from deep.

He could even form a midfield partnership with captain Wayne Rooney, who has excelled recently playing in a deeper role than usual, per football writer Peter O'Rourke:

However, it seems highly unlikely that United will be able to sign Busquets, not least because his current deal at the Camp Nou runs until 2019.

He is one of the most important players in the Blaugrana squad and has been at the club since joining their youth ranks in 2005.

United's current lack of competitiveness at the top of the Premier League—and their likely absence from next season's UEFA Champions League—would surely put Busquets off a move to Old Trafford, while Barca are unlikely to be willing to let him go.

Gualter Fatia/Getty Images

Elsewhere, United are reportedly "poised to seal" a £39 million deal for Benfica star Renato Sanches, per the Sun (via the Daily Star's Alex Harris).

The Sunday Times' Duncan Castles recently reported that Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Real Madrid had all entered the race to sign the 18-year-old central midfielder, United having hesitated in meeting Benfica's £39 million valuation after failing with an initial bid of £35 million:

However, Harris added that the likely imminent appointment of Jose Mourinho as United manager in the summer has swung the deal in United's favour, as the former Chelsea boss and Sanches share an agent, Jorge Mendes.

The Portuguese international has had a breakthrough season in 2015-16, showing huge maturity as he has excelled for Benfica both domestically and in the Champions League. See him in action below:

United's 2015-16 campaign has been a frustrating one, but the performances of young forwards Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Jesse Lingard have given the Old Trafford faithful a cause for optimism, and adding Sanches to the mix would make for exciting times to come.