Transfer News: Man Utd Ready To Sign £31m Midfielder | Arsenal Eye Swoop For Defender

The transfer window may be closed but clubs are still working hard ahead of January and next summer so we’ll bring you all the latest gossip from around the globe. Today, Man Utd are after Bryan Cristante while Arsenal are eyeing Jonny Evans….

United eye Cristante 

First up and the Sun are reporting that Manchester United are ready to launch a bid to sign Atalanta midfielder Bryan Cristante as Jose Mourinho looks to replace Marouane Fellaini.

The Belgian international is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer as his contract expires in June and he’s so far refused to sign an extension.

Mourinho has indicated he’d like Fellaini to stay but the United boss needs to make contingency plans and it looks like he’s already identified the man he wants to fill his boots.

The Sun claim United are showing a keen interest in signing Cristante and are prepared to meet Atalanta’s £31m asking price to secure a deal ahead of the summer.

Cristante is currently on loan at Atalanta from Benfica but the Italian’s have the option to make the move permanent for just £10m and are then expected to immediately cash-in to turn a quick profit.

United aren’t the only side keen as the newspaper says Juventus, Inter Milan and Atletico Madrid are also interested but the Red Devils are in pole position as they are the only club willing to meet Atalanta’s asking price.

The 21-year-old is predominantly a defensive midfielder who can also play further forward so he’d give Mourinho some good options in the middle of the park if he does get a deal agreed.

READ MORE –> Man Utd transfer news

The Sun claim Cristante would be keen to move to Old Trafford as he’d love to play alongside his idol Paul Pogba but only time will tell if United are able to get this proposed deal over the line.

Arsenal to renew Evans interest

Next up and the Mirror are reporting that Arsenal will renew their interest in signing West Bromwich Albion defender Jonny Evans this winter.

The Gunners tried to land Evans in the summer and reportedly saw a £25m offer rejected as Arsene Wenger looked to find a replacement for Shkodran Mustafi amid reports linking him with Inter Milan.

Neither deal came to fruition in the end but it looks like Arsenal are still keen on Evans as the Mirror claim Wenger is ready to make a fresh attempt to land the centre-back in January.

The north Londoners have been playing a back three this season and with Per Mertesacker set to retire in June it looks like Wenger wants Evans to bolster his ranks at the back.

New Baggies boss Alan Pardew admitted earlier this week that he’ll speak to the Northern Ireland international to assess his commitment to the club but the Mirror suggest Evans would be keen for a move if a big offer came in.

READ MORE –> Arsenal transfer news

We’ll have to wait and see how things progress over the coming weeks but I don’t think this is the last we’ll hear of Arsenal’s interest in Evans as we approach the opening of the January window.