Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Gabriel Barbosa and Jose Fonte Rumours

Manchester United are reportedly ready to beat Premier League rivals Leicester City to Brazilian striker Gabriel Barbosa by putting together a £30 million deal for the 19-year-old.

Champions Leicester believed they had a deal in place for the Santos attacker but now face the prospect of losing out to United, according to Graeme Bryce of the Sun:

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The Foxes were convinced they had beaten off Italian giants Inter Milan and Juventus, as well as Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid, after the teenage striker told them he had his heart set on playing in the Premier League.

However SunSport can reveal Jose Mourinho is now in pole position to land the Samba superkid, with United set to push through a whopping £30 million deal within the next 48 hours to outmuscle the reigning champions.

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Leicester had been credited with making a £23.2 million bid for the South American by the Guardian's Fabrizio Romano.

Yet Bryce has stated how United would structure any deal for the player who has also attracted interest from Chelsea. He indicated that the Red Devils would offer £26 million up front, with a further £4 million ticketed for the striker's agent.

Bryce contends Santos were blocking United's interest due to the Old Trafford club's desire to pay in four separate instalments. However, the Red Devils have now backtracked and are keen to land a young forward to provide cover up front.

It's a desire that makes a lot of sense considering current strikers Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Wayne Rooney are closer to the end of their careers than the beginning. Ibrahimovic is 34, while Rooney is 30.

Granted, United manager Jose Mourinho does have 18-year-old Marcus Rashford and 20-year-old Anthony Martial to turn to. However, a player of Barbosa's obvious potential may be hard to miss.

He's scored twice for Brazil at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, per FIFA.com. Barbosa combines pace with flair and considerable shooting power, and he is also versatile enough to play anywhere across the front.

United have paid big this summer for immediate help, but investing heavily in a player whose value will only become clear in subsequent seasons would show Mourinho is as mindful of building a successful future as he is about winning now.

Southampton Determined to Keep Jose Fonte

Southampton are said to feel "confident" about their chances of keeping centre-back Jose Fonte amid United's interest in the Portuguese defender. In fact, the Saints are reportedly talking to the 32-year-old about a new contract, according to Adrian Kajumba of the Daily Mirror.

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United were previously said to have begun talks with Southampton, per ESPN FC's Miguel Delaney. He cited Mourinho's desire to have more experience among his central-defensive options as well as Eric Bailly's potential involvement in the Africa Cup of Nations next year.

Delaney also made it clear that any deal for Fonte would likely cost £8 million. Frankly, that's a bargain for a savvy player who defends with authority and is commanding in the air.

The latter is not a quality shared by Dutchman Daley Blind, but it is something Bailly and Chris Smalling both offer. Fonte would be an obvious replacement for either in the event of injuries or suspensions.

Adding cover at both ends of the team would complete Mourinho's instant makeover of United from a squad that couldn't secure UEFA Champions League football last season to one that already looks like a prime contender for this season's Premier League title.