Manchester United could trim their wage bill and receive a welcome financial boost in January as Nice explore a possible deal for midfielder Manuel Ugarte.Â
Tuesday Transfer Rumours Roundup
Nice identify Manchester United midfielder Manuel Ugarte
Ligue 1 side Nice are preparing to make their move for United outcast Ugarte, who has fallen out of favour under Ruben Amorim.
The Uruguayan defensive midfielder has made just two league starts this season and was left on the bench in United’s last two games, including the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
Ugarte has seemingly fallen behind Kobbie Mainoo in the midfield pecking order.
French journalist Justin Favre claims Nice are looking at the possibility of bringing in the player on loan and have already made enquiries.
Nice currently sit 13th in the French top flight.
Ugarte was previously at Paris Saint-Germain before joining United in the summer of 2024, but the report adds that their pursuit of the player is deemed optimistic.
Amorim remains under pressure to turn around the club’s fortunes, with Oliver Glasner admired by the United board.
Manchester City lead the race for Marc Guehi
Crystal Palace and England centre-back Marc Guehi will have no shortage of options when he becomes a free agent at the end of the season.
Manchester City want to steal a march on its rivals and are ready to offer him a lucrative deal to help transform their defence.
Liverpool are one of the clubs that want Guehi as they plot a long-term successor for Virgil van Dijk. However, they may have missed their opportunity, having failed to sign him in the summer.
Real Madrid are also believed to be an option.
The Times add that Guehi has been a long-term admirer of City’s Director of football, Txiki Begiristain.
England team-mates and City stars Phil Foden and John Stones have been singing the praises of Guehi, encouraging the club to make their move.
Napoli among ten clubs looking at Kobbie Mainoo
The January transfer window will provide Amorim with another opportunity to shape his squad with departures and arrivals.
Alongside Ugarte, another one of those leaving could be midfielder Mainoo, having failed to make a Premier League start this season.
His half-brother further fanned the flames on Monday night when he wore a ‘free Kobbie Mainoo’ shirt during the 4-4 draw with Bournemouth.
United are unlikely to let the 20-year-old leave permanently, but Amorim has said he’d keep the door open if Mainoo wants a loan move.
Napoli are long-term admirers of Mainoo, and were knocked back in their attempts to sign him during the summer.
They’re likely to face competition with reports that up to ten clubs could be interested in his availability.
A loan switch would appear best for all parties, but United will want to ensure they sign a suitable replacement or risk a shortage in midfield.
AC Milan ‘agree’ deal for Niclas Fullkrug
AC Milan have moved a step closer to signing West Ham striker Niclas Fullkrug after a ‘basic agreement’ was met between the two clubs.
The 32-year-old has been on the periphery of the first-team at the Hammers, having underwhelmed since his £27million move following the Euros in 2024.
Fullkrug hasn’t started a league game for West Ham since October 4.
Reports in Italy claim it will initially be a temporary loan move until the end of the season, and AC Milan will cover the entirety of his salary.
The striker has also made it clear to club chiefs that he wants to make the switch, and West Ham are unlikely to stand in his way.
AC Milan are a point behind their rivals Inter, who sit at the summit of the table and want to add depth to their strike force to help their title push.
Liverpool may reignite Nico Schlotterbeck interest
It’s no secret Liverpool want to bring in a new central defender and are weighing up their targets as they look set to miss out on Marc Guehi.
Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck remains an option and is currently under a contract impasse at the German club.
His current deal in the Bundesliga expires in 2027, meaning Dortmund will have to sell him in the summer or risk losing him for nothing.
That news is likely to capture the attention of Liverpool, who have shown previous interest in his signature.
The towering central defender is also on the radar of Bayern Munich and Barcelona. Schlotterbeck is a left-sided centre-back and will be eyed as a long-term successor for Van Dijk.
Dortmund are prepared to offer Schlotterbeck €14million-a-year to sign a new deal, but Bayern have reportedly told his advisers that they would be willing to trump that figure.
If Liverpool want to sign him permanently, they will need to pay around €50m.
