Manchester United ‘looking at’ RB Leipzig striker ahead of January window and more trnsfer rumours

Manchester United could apparently make a move for RB Leipzig attacker Lois Openda in January.

The 23-year-old scored against Manchester City in the Champions League this month, having scored four other goals from 11 matches this season. Football Insider claims Erik ten Hag could pursue him in the new year in order to sign him before rivals come knocking.

However, RB Leipzig are set to hold strong and are said to be adamant that they will not lose any further players following the exits of Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea, Josko Gvardiol to City and Dominik Szoboszlai to Liverpool this summer.

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Then there is the further issue regarding funds. United spent more than £170m on players this summer and club officials are concerned about Financial Fair Play regulations. Last January, United had to lean into the loan market for Wout Weghorst and Marcel Sabitzer.

If that is the case this time around then a deal for Openda can be dismissed. The size of the budget available for January’s market exploits is unclear amid the unresolved takeover process.

Meanwhile, reports in Brazil claim United agreed to sign Palmeiras star Gabriel Menino before the move fell through. Premier League Brasil says an £8m transfer had been agreed for the 23-year-old defensive midfielder but the deal was ditched for ‘various reasons’.

Sofyan Amrabat was ultimately acquired on loan from Fiorentina and United have the option of buying the Moroccan for €25m next summer. Palmeiras were said to be disappointed by the supposed breakdown.

Menino played 56 matches last season, scoring eight times - two of which came in January’s Brazil