Transfer News: Man Utd Battle For £19m Defender | Chelsea Eye Bid For £40m Spaniard

With the summer transfer window now closed for business it’s time to start looking at those deals being lined-up for January. Today, Manchester United are linked with a Dutch defender while Chelsea are eyeing a bid for Koke.

United battle for Martins Indi

First up and the Mirror are carrying a report coming out of Italy which claims Manchester United are facing a battle with several top European clubs for the signature of Bruno Martins Indi.

The Dutch international has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford ever since Louis van Gaal took over at Old Trafford back in the summer of 2014.

The Mirror suggest that the United boss is once again eyeing a move for the 23-year-old centre-back as he looks to add to his defensive options having failed to land any of his prime targets in the summer.

However, it looks like United will face some stiff competition as the newspaper says Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Roma and AC Milan are among the club who are also interested in signing the powerful defender.

Martins Indi only joined FC Porto last January but he’s been hugely impressive during his time in Portugal and his imposing performances at the back have been the cornerstone of one of the meanest defences in Europe.

I’m sure Porto won’t want to see him go so soon after joining the club but the Mirror claim they may cash-in if an offer in the region of £19m is put forward.

It remains to be seen whether United, or any of the other clubs supposedly interested, will be prepared to pay that kind of money but I think Martins Indi would be an excellent addition if van Gaal could pull it off.

Chelsea eye Koke

Next up and the Express are reporting that Chelsea are lining-up a move for Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke as Jose Mourinho looks to rejuvenate his flagging squad this January.

The Blues have endured a miserable start to their Premier League title defence so it will come as no surprise that Mourinho is already thinking about new additions during the winter window and it appears he’s got an ambitious target in mind.

The Express claim that the Portuguese coach will renew his interest in Koke after failing to land him in the summer but will need to meet Atletico Madrid’s £40m valuation if he wants to get a deal done.

Chelsea have the finances to pay that kind of money but we’ll have to wait and see whether owner Roman Abramovich is willing to back his manager with significant funds in January while the club are languishing down in 16th position in the table.

Koke would obviously be an exciting addition if Chelsea were able to lure him to Stamford Bridge and he’d provide real competition for Nemanja Matic and Cesc Fabregas in the middle of the park, with both players well below their best so far this season.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

So that’s your dose of transfer news for today. Stay tuned for more gossip ahead of the winter window….