Ralf Rangnick suffers midfield blow and but alternative transfer target emerges

Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick has reportedly suffered a transfer blow in his pursuit of a midfielder, although a new target has emerged in Italy

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Ralf Rangnick reflects on Wolves defeat

It’s been a season to forget for Manchester United fans… and there are still 19 Premier League fixtures left to play.

Ralf Rangnick’s team are currently seventh in the table, four points behind Arsenal in fourth with a game in hand.

Many Red Devils supporters will be desperate for the interim manager to bring in some fresh talent and let a few players go in January.

Reports suggest Jesse Lingard, Phil Jones and Donny van de Beek could all leave the club in the coming weeks to play regular football.

But who could arrive? Here are the latest transfer rumours from Old Trafford, including an update on Eric Bailly’s future.

Who should Manchester United sign in January? Let us know in the comments below!

Kessie blow

Real Madrid are the most likely to sign United target Franck Kessie this summer, according to Catalan outlet El Nacional.

The AC Milan midfielder, 25, has been linked with a host of clubs in recent months, including Tottenham, Liverpool and the Red Devils.

Kessie, who’s played 159 Serie A games since joining Milan from Atalanta in the summer of 2017, is out of contract at the end of the season.

“I want Kessie in my team,” said ex-Milan striker Antonio Cassano in March, as quoted by Milan Live. “He scores, he assists, he has personality, he has quality, he doesn’t lose the ball, he is intelligent.

“I’m watching him carefully… he reminds me of the Yaya Toure of the best times. He is a different player, but in terms of impact. He is holding Milan’s midfield alone.”

Serge of interest

United are reportedly interested in signing Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinkovic-Savic this summer, according to Italian outlet Calcio Mercato.

The Serbia international, 27, is reportedly viewed as a cheaper alternative to West Ham ace Declan Rice, who is rated at £100million.

The Red Devils may also struggle to sign Rice if they fail to qualify for the Champions League this season, with the Hammers battling them for fourth place.

Lazio are thought to have slapped a €70million price tag on Milinkovic-Savic – around £58.5m.

The 28-cap international joined the Italian side in the summer of 2015 and has gone on to make 213 Serie A appearances, scoring an impressive 44 goals from the middle of the park.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic has been linked with United for a while and it’s believed Juventus are also keen on adding him to their roster.

He wrote on Instagram in December: “I see lot of rumours about me but… I don’t care! I just want Lazio to win.”

But his agent and ex-Chelsea striker Mateja Kezman recently told reporters: “He is a great club player. Soon the time will come for him to live a new adventure and new dreams.”

Milan eye-up Bailly

AC Milan are interested in signing a centre-back from the Premier League, according to Sky Italia via Milan Live.

Milan captain Simon Kjaer will not play against this season due to a knee injury and it’s believed the Italian giants have shortlisted four defenders to replace him.

One of those is said to be United’s Eric Bailly, who’s struggled for minutes since joining the club in the summer of 2016 – making just 70 Premier League appearances.

The other three names on Milan’s reported shortlist are Manchester City’s Nathan Ake, Chelsea’s Malanga Sarr and Arsenal’s Pablo Mari.

“I don’t want to be a starter one game and a substitute for another five,” said Bailly in May. “If that happens I will have to look for another solution.”