Transfer Talk: United line up Haidara and De Jong raids

Ralf Rangnick will bid to end Manchester United's midfield woes with a double swoop for Amadou Haidara and Frenkie de Jong.

The interim boss has been linked with RB Leipzig playmaker Haidara since taking the reins at Old Trafford.

And the Sun claim Rangnick is ready to trigger a £32million release clause to make the Mali international, 23, his first signing in January.

Haidara is a boyhood United fan and came through the Red Bull system with FC Salzburg and Leipzig during Rangnick's time as director of football.

He has been deployed as a holding midfielder this season and is expected to line up there against Manchester City on Tuesday, which will prove a stern test of his credentials.

United are also believed to be ready to test cash-strapped Barcelona's resolve to keep hold of their top stars.

El Nacional say Old Trafford chiefs have snubbed the chance to sign Philippe Coutinho but are plotting a De Jong raid instead.

The report adds that a bid of over £59m could be enough to persuade the Catalans to cash in.

In other news

Chelsea and Arsenal are set to go head-to-head to try and land Paris Saint-Germain striker Mauro Icardi, according to Fichajes.

Barca, Newcastle, Tottenham and Juventus have also been linked with the Argentine international.

The Sun report PSG are in the market for a left-back and Wolves star Rayan Ait-Nouri is high on their wishlist.