Manchester United Transfer News: Latest Rumours on Dimitri Payet, Ivan Rakitic

West Ham United will reportedly "demand" Anthony Martial in exchange for Dimitri Payet if Manchester United pursue him in January.

According to French outlet Le 10 Sport (h/t Jack Staplehurst of the Express), United are monitoring the former Olympique de Marseille man's situation but will need to pay a high price to land him in the form of "dream alternative" Martial.

Payet has been exceptional since joining the Hammers and has notched three goals and seven assists in all competitions this season.

As Squawka Football revealed, the playmaker's creativity is unrivalled:

According to sports broadcaster Ian Abrahams, Payet wants to leave West Ham in January. Despite him being the Irons' best player, he also suggested the club should let him go, per TalkSport's Alan Brazil:

It would hardly be a surprise if Payet is considering a move—West Ham are struggling in 15th place this season. The club are unlikely to entertain that possibility, however, at least not unless a player of Martial's quality is offered up in exchange.

As good as Payet is, swapping Martial for him would be an illogical move. The former is almost 30, while the latter—who has just turned 21—has the potential to become a world-class forward at Old Trafford.

Football writer Liam Canning hailed Martial when he bagged a brace against West Ham in November:

Even if the Red Devils did not have to offer him up, they don't especially need Payet anyway—with Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Juan Mata and Paul Pogba in the squad, they shouldn't be lacking creativity or incisive passing.

Meanwhile, United's ambitions of signing Ivan Rakitic from Barcelona have been dented as the Croatian has reportedly "instructed his agent to reject all offers for him," according to Mundo Deportivo (h/t MailOnline's Jonathan Spencer).

Alex Caparros/Getty Images

The midfielder is an outstanding all-rounder in the centre of the park, a creative and cultured passer who works hard defensively too.

He also has a penchant for scoring important goals, per Bleacher Report UK's Rik Sharma:

That includes the opener in the 2015 UEFA Champions League final against Juventus, putting Barca on a path to win the game 3-1.

While he's not in the same mould as Michael Carrick, Rakitic could have made a strong long-term replacement for the 35-year-old.

The Red Devils need to look elsewhere for a candidate, though, as the Barcelona man appears determined to remain at the Camp Nou.