Manchester United are now actively working on hijacking Chelsea's deal to sign a defensive target, having already opened talks.
Man Utd actively working to hijack Chelsea move
In a month of change at Old Trafford, interim boss Michael Carrick could get his first Man United reinforcement. The former Middlesbrough boss has already proved doubters wrong once this season, easing past Manchester City in his first game since returning to the temporary role at the club.
If INEOS want Carrick to secure Champions League qualification in his short stay then they should add crucial depth to his side in the January transfer window.
Whilst summer targets include Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton, Man United could yet sign a short-term solution to their midfield problems in Ruben Loftus-Cheek this month.
The AC Milan midfielder has struggled for starts at the San Siro this season and has set his sights on a return to the Premier League as a result, with United reportedly among the clubs to have been offered his signature.
ruben-loftus-cheek-ac-milan
The Englishman is not short on experience these days and even has two Premier League titles to his name. Those at Old Trafford could certainly do a lot worse than the former Chelsea midfielder.
Whether they can fend off the interest of Aston Villa is the big question, however. Villa have the advantage of sitting third and can guarantee Champions League football more convincingly than Man United these days.
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He would transform the Red Devils.
Loftus-Cheek isn't the only one with a Premier League decision to make, either. According to TeamTalk, Man Utd are actively in talks to sign Yisa Alao in an attempt to hijack Chelsea's move for the Sheffield Wednesday at the death.
"Excellent" Yisa Alao is a future star
There's a reason why Alao is attracting interest from Man United and Chelsea. The 17-year-old has already featured for Sheffield Wednesday's first-team and is very much on course to become a future star. Where he reaches that potential remains to be seen, though.
Beating Chelsea to the defender at this stage would have to be a dramatic hijack, amid reports that the Blues have already sealed his agreement.
That's unlikely to stop Man United from pushing until Alao's future is confirmed, however. Those at Old Trafford should be desperate not to miss out on one of the best young talents in the Championship.
Dubbed "excellent" on his first-team debut by The Star's Alex Miller, Alao will be one to watch wherever he realises his potential in the coming years.