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Chelsea's Santos on Man Utd shortlist - Friday's gossip

Manchester United have identified a six-man midfield shortlist including Chelsea's Andrey Santos, Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade has ambitions of playing for Bayern Munich, while the German champions could join the race for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi.

Manchester United are open to signing two new midfielders in 2026, with Chelsea's 21-year-old Brazil international Andrey Santos among a six-man shortlist that also includes Brighton and Cameroon 21-year-old Carlos Baleba. (Talksport)

Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford, 27, wants to stay at Barcelona beyond his season-long loan at the Spanish club, who have an option to sign the England international on a permanent deal at the end of the campaign. (ESPN)

Newcastle United's 23-year-old Germany striker Nick Woltemade still hopes to play for Bayern Munich in the future. (Bild - in German)

Crystal Palace's England centre-back Marc Guehi, 25, is one of Bayern Munich's preferred defensive targets, alongside Borussia Dortmund and Germany's 25-year-old Nico Schlotterbeck, should France international Dayot Upamecano, 26, not extend his contract or if South Korea's Kim Min-jae, 28, is sold. (Sky Sports Germany)

Dutch forward Joshua Zirkzee will ask to leave Manchester United in the January transfer window, with West Ham currently leading the race to sign the 24-year-old. (Mirror)

Zirkzee would prefer to stay in the Premier League as he looks to earn a place in the Netherlands' World Cup squad. (Star)

AC Milan, Aston Villa and West Ham are among the clubs interested in 31-year-old Manchester City and Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic. (Caught Offside)

Germany goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen could leave Barcelona in January and there have already been enquiries for the 33-year-old. (Sky Sports Germany)

Chelsea are exploring the market for a new goalkeeper and could look at a loan deal for Ter Stegen, before attempting to sign AC Milan's France international Mike Maignan, 30, next summer on a free transfer. (TeamTalk)

Former Liverpool and Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez is set for a return to the dugout as the Spaniard is expected to become the new manager of Greek side Panathinaikos. (Mail)