Manchester United Transfer News: Latest on Tiemoue Bakayoko, Top Rumours

Monaco midfield enforcer Tiemoue Bakayoko would reportedly consider signing for Manchester United this summer—but only if the Old Trafford club qualifies for next season's UEFA Champions League.

That's according to Ciaran Kelly of the Manchester Evening News, who quotes an unnamed source close to Bakayoko: "Manchester United is a big club and [Jose] Mourinho is a big coach, and Tiemoue needs a big coach to continue his progression. 

"He wants to play in the Champions League and it will be a worry for a club that does not play in it. It will inevitably be taken into account."

Those comments indicate a deal to send Bakayoko to Manchester could be done. As for Bakayoko's key condition, the Red Devils have recently improved their chances of participating in Europe's premier club competition next season.

United are currently up to fifth in the Premier League, just four points behind Liverpool and a place in the top four, having played two games fewer. Perhaps better still, United are also in the last eight of the UEFA Europa League, preparing for a tie against Belgian side Anderlecht.

Winning the Europa League would guarantee United a place in the Champions League even without a top-four finish in England's top flight.

Of course, reaching the Champions League may not be enough by itself to ensure United are able to sign Bakayoko. After all, there are other top clubs reportedly interested in the 22-year-old midfield destroyer.

In fact, his favourite destination may already be decided. His brother, Paris FC defender Soualio Bakayoko, has said Tiemoue's ideal move would be to Monaco's Ligue 1 rivals, according to an interview with RMC Sport (h/t Goal): "When he was young, he wanted to go to PSG. He has always dreamed of PSG."

If United hope to sway Parisian-born Bakayoko, they may rely on his former Monaco team-mate, striker Anthony Martial, per Kelly: "Anthony Martial, who is a close friend of the midfielder and played with him for a season at Monaco, could yet prove the Reds' trump card."

Bakayoko would surely add a lot to United's squad, should they be able to sign him. Specifically, he would give manager Jose Mourinho a physical and disruptive player in the vital holding role at the base of midfield and in front of the defence.

Mourinho's squad needs a natural replacement for 35-year-old Michael Carrick, who combines positional discipline with stellar technique on the ball. However, no other United midfielder possesses a similar blend of destructive talents with creative qualities.

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By contrast, Bakayoko is one of Europe's toughest tacklers and has improved his quality in possession. He has completed more than 87 percent of his passes in both Ligue 1 and Champions League action this term, according to WhoScored.com.

Bakayoko is an ideal fit for United, but the Old Trafford club won't have an easy time trying to sign him.

United Monitoring Celtic Left-Back

Another player reportedly on United's transfer radar is Celtic left-back Kieran Tierney. A report from MailOnline's Jack Gaughan has revealed how the Red devils have been monitoring Tierney recently: "Head of scouting Marcel Bout took in the Old Firm draw against Rangers earlier this month and a United representative is likely to attend Sunday's Scottish Premiership game at Hearts."

However, Gaughan also noted how United can expect to face competition for the 19-year-old from elsewhere in the Premier League: "The switch to right back last weekend, during Scotland's slender victory over Slovenia, will also do his case no harm as Arsenal circle. It is thought Celtic would demand upwards of £10million."

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Frankly, £10 million or more is not just a modest fee for a full-back as gifted as Tierney. It's also an outright bargain when considering United's issues on the left.

Mourinho has struggled all season to establish a first-choice regular at the position after quickly souring on Luke Shaw. He has since tried a host of players at the spot, including natural winger Ashley Young and converted centre-backs Daley Blind and Marcos Rojo.

The way the latter was victimised during United's narrow win over Southampton in this season's EFL Cup final only further highlighted the Red Devils' need for reinforcements.

Tierney fits the bill having wasted no time at all establishing himself as a full-back who is menacing going forward, as well as athletic and intelligent enough to recover in defensive areas.

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Mourinho will know how much United need select tinkering at key positions if they are going to mount a credible title challenge in the Premier League next term. Both Bakayoko and Tierney are young talents with bright futures at positions United must strengthen this summer.

Mourinho should work fast to beat the competition to both.