Manchester United are in pole position to sign Boubacar Kamara amid shared interest from former manager Jose Mourinho and Roma - according to reports.
Having finished as runners-up to Manchester City last season, key figures in the Old Trafford boardroom issued a triple statement of intent by signing Jadon Sancho, Raphael Varane and the returning five-time Ballon d'Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo this summer.
Manchester Evening News understands that defensive midfield has, in turn, been identified as their next priority area for the January and summer transfer windows.
England star Declan Rice was thought to be target number one in that regard, although Amadou Haidara has also been mooted as an option given his existing with United interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
But the Old Trafford giants continue to be linked with other players, too.
Kamara, 22, has impressed since progressing through the Marseille ranks and has made 142 senior appearances for the French Ligue 1 club - predominately as a central midfielder although the Frenchman has, on occasion, filled in at the heart of their defence.
According to La Repubblica via Forza Roma, former United manager Mourinho will try to sign Kamara this January and Roma are open to giving his current employers a transfer fee, with Kamara heading into the final months of his contract.
That would deny the Old Trafford giants the opportunity to strike up a pre-contract agreement. However, they do have scope to out-bid the Italians.
Elsewhere, wantaway striker Anthony Martial remains a top priority target for La Liga side Sevilla.
Having seen his game-time restricted since Ronaldo completed a sensational return switch to the Premier League, the France striker has told Rangnick that he wants to secure a new challenge.
The final decision in that regard has yet to be made from the club.
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However, after seeing one loan attempt for the 26-year-old knocked back, Sevilla are - according to L'Equipe - still confident they can land their man this month.
Martial has scored one goal this season - from 10 outings in all competitions totalling 359 minutes.
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