- Porto to demand £40million from United if they bid for Eliaquim Mangala
- Feyenoord wonderkid Rodney Kongolo could snub City for Liverpool
- Cavani may leave PSG, with Chelsea still interested in hitman
Manager David Moyes was in the stands at the Vicente Calderon Stadium on Wednesday night with Jimmy Lumsden and United's Andalucian-based scout as Atletico Madrid ensured
Porto were knocked out of the Champions League.
Heading for England? Porto's Eliaquim Mangala was watched by David Moyes in the clash with Atletico Madrid
Intermediaries are understood to have already enquired on behalf of Manchester City for Mangala but City are conscious of overspending particularly with financial fair play rules still to be maintained.
Bids will no doubt be made under the release clause of £40m but the 22-year-old French defender's release will still be expensive.
United have been busy this week scouring Europe as they head into a crucial part of the season. They were represented at Austria Vienna v Zenit and Benfica v Paris St Germain as they continue to weigh up targets for centre midfield, attack and defence.
Star turn: Mangala has impressed at centre back this season and has attracted some attention
Another target: Southampton's Luke Shaw has been hotly tipped to join Chelsea at some point
Southampton's Luke Shaw remains a candidate. Sportsmail reported last month that the 18-year-old is a target for Chelsea also as they weigh up replacements for Ashley Cole. Southampton do not want to sell in January and would prefer to keep him for another year but that may change in the summer should bids go beyond £25million.
Necessity: David Moyes knows he needs new recruits after a disappointing start to the season
Lethal: Edinson Cavani has proved his worth since leaving Napoli for Paris Saint-Germain last summer
Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp is keen to take the Croatian if he can be convinced of stepping down a division ahead of the World Cup while West Ham, Crystal Palace, Hull, Stoke and Cardiff have all made enquiries.
In the balance: Nikica Jelavic is out of favour at Everton since the arrival of Romelu Lukaku
West Ham want to take him on loan but Everton won't contemplate that without getting a striker of their own in first.
Everton were among clubs present at Austria Vienna v Zenit St Petersburg on Wednesday where Vienna striker Philipp Hosiner scored twice as they beat Zenit 4-1.
Manchester City were widely expected to have agreed a deal for the 16-year-old by now after leading the chase for the past six months. However, Liverpool remain in talks with the player's agent in a bid to sign him next month.
The sticking point for agreement is understood to have been wages, with the player's camp looking for around £6,000 per week.
Kongolo, who has two brothers, Holland U21 international defender Terence, 19, and nine year old academy prospect Fidel, is shaping up to become a top defensive midfielder with the physique to match. He can also play in defence and has drawn comparisons to Patrick Vieira.
Strengthening: Brendan Rodgers could pip Manchester City to the Feyenoord youngster Rodney Kongolo
City are on the trail of another youngster Keita Balde Diao who has already broken into Lazio's first team. Keita, 18, is a former Barcelona trainee who was sent out on loan from the club as punishment for putting an ice cube into another player's bed while on a trip to Qatar. He then scored 47 goals in one season for the club, Cornella.
A year later Lazio paid £270,000 for him and he is now attracting scouts from all of Europe's top sides again.
In the hunt: 18-year-old Keita Balde Diao is being tracked by Manchester City
Licence to thrill: Lazio starlet Keita celebrates after netting against Napoli earlier this month
Meanwhile, the agent of Swedish prospect Valmir Berisha admits a decision over the Halmstads striker's future will soon be made. The 17 year-old has offers from Manchester United, City, Liverpool, Sunderland and Arsenal.
Agent Anders Karlsson said: 'We have a priority list of clubs, we have full control of the situation. The arrival of new clubs is happening all the time. But the decision is close. How close? I cannot say for hours or days or so. But it can be done very soon, that's all I can say in the current situation.'
Taylor has not played since being sent off in the 4-0 defeat by Manchester City in August and also picked up a niggling injury. However, the 27-year-old is being considered as a possible loan option with Crystal Palace among clubs in the market for defenders.
Out of favour: Steven Taylor hasn't played for Newcastle since receiving a red card against Manchester City
Newcastle are in talks with clubs to try and sign a striker imminently. They have asked again about Stoke City target Luuk de Jong but are continuing to look at options in France and in Turkey.
Sporting Lisbon's Diego Capel is another possibility as they weigh up various wingers including Aiden McGeady at Spartak Moscow.
Rising star: George Saville (right) currently plays on loan from Chelsea at Brentford
Tindall is weighing up potential loan moves for next month with Chelsea keen for their young players to gain more experience. Former Fulham coach Billy McKinlay was also watching as he stays prepared ahead of his next coaching appointment.
Defensive midfield is a position they want to strengthen as recognised by Rafa Benitez last year. Nemanja Matic of Benfica is their ideal recruit but Imbula, at 21, is a younger model and could be bought for around £5m to £8m less. Arsenal have also monitored his progress since he broke into Guingamp first team as a 17-year-old in 2009.
Fredy Guarin at Inter Milan has also been offered to Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal, Manchester City and Manchester United. Privately, David Moyes does not think Guarin is for him and is looking at other alternatives.
Highly rated: Marseille's Florian Thauvin (right) was watched by Chelsea's Jose Mourinho
Inter want a striker but are struggling to raise funds and are looking at various swaps and sales that could involve Guarin going the other way.
City's Edin Dzeko, Chelsea's Demba Ba, United's Javier Hernandez and Southampton's Pablo Osvaldo are all on their wish-list. They remain keen also on a loan for City's Stevan Jovetic but City are not so keen.
Hands up if you want me: Inter Milan star Fredy Guarin has been offered to a number of English clubs
Centre-back Andrea Ranocchia is another attractive option they are willing to sell for the right price as is Ishak Belfodil, their 6ft 3ins, 21-year-old Algerian striker, who has been offered to Fulham.
Fulham expect offers for Dimitar Berbatov although a return to Tottenham is unlikely considering his age at 32. Anderlecht are also keen on Fulham's Bryan Ruiz but may struggle to afford him.
Another option: Inter defender Andrea Ranocchia (left) could be up for grabs for the right price
Sunderland have spoken to QPR about Julio Cesar but he is also the subject of enquiries from elsewhere. Cesar's concern is that if he leaves he wants to play regularly as a number one.
In demand: Shay Given has impressed so far while at Middlesbrough
Attracting attention: England and Celtic goalkeeper Fraser Forster has dazzled this season
WICKED WHISPER
Which
Championship manager was turned away from a seaside resort bar renowned
for its transvestite clientele?
Some of his players had already gone in to the bar as they looked to add some exotic variety to their night out but took great delight when door staff refused to allow their older boss through the doors - despite his protests.
Some of his players had already gone in to the bar as they looked to add some exotic variety to their night out but took great delight when door staff refused to allow their older boss through the doors - despite his protests.
'This gives you a good dose of self-confidence as well, as you know it will take a lot of talent for someone to be successful internationally.'
Fringe character: West Brom defender Diego Lugano could be on the move from the Midlands club
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