Manchester United eye Andre Gomez; Nemanja Vidic leaves Inter Milan for MLS; Arsenal close in on Nigerian pair

All the biggest transfer stories on the morning of Wednesday January 13 as Manchester United and Arsenal close in on key targets, Manchester City eye a young Schalke star and Tottenham tell Andros Townsend to forget about a loan

Manchester United target Andre Gomez (Getty)

Manchester United’s frustration in their pursuit of Atletico Madrid ace Saul Niguez has led them to Valencia’s Andre Gomez. Diego Simeone, the Atleti boss, is hesitant to sell yet another star to the Premier League - meaning United must look elsewhere. That search has reportedly thrown up Gomes, the 22-year-old Portugal international and former Benfica star.

According to DiMarzio, the player’s agent is desperate get his client a lucrative move to England. Following the 3-3 draw with Newcastle United on Tuesday night, Louis van Gaal was typically coy about his transfer plans, but the Dutchman has admitted he would like to strengthen this month.

Former Red Devils defender Nemanja Vidic has cancelled his contract with Inter Milan after featuring sparingly under boss Roberto Mancini. The 34-year-old lifted five Premier League trophies under Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford but has seen his career decline at the San Siro. Making just 23 Serie A appearances since 2014, the Serbian has been linked with West Ham and Crystal Palace in recent years.

But a move to Major League Soccer seems more likely now as the Champions League winner winds his career down. He retired from international football in 2011 after making 56 appearances for his country.

Real Madrid and Barcelona have reportedly joined Manchester City and Liverpool in the race to sign Schalke hotshot Leroy Sane. The 20-year-old has emerged as one of the most exciting talents in Europe this season and, according to BILD, will leave the German outfit for a fee in the region of £20m this year. His destination, however, is far more difficult to predict.

Repeatedly compared to City attacking-midfielder Raheem Sterling, Sane has the pace and skill to fit in easily into a Premier League outfit. Should Manuel Pellegrini make a move for the exciting prospect, mind you, he will have to fight off Europe’s elite clubs to complete the deal.

Arsenal are closing in on the signings of Nigeria under-17 stars Kelechi Nwakali and Samuel Chuckwueze, according to various sources including Sky Sports. Arsene Wenger wants to leave a legacy of youth at the Emirates when he finally leaves the North London outfit and sees the Nigerian pair as the perfect way to do so.

The Gunners have reportedly beaten off a host of clubs from across the continent to secure the duo and remain hopeful of adding Mohamed Elneny from Basel – despite work permit problems threatening to put a spanner in the works.

Andros Townsend will not be allowed to leave Tottenham on loan this January as chairman Daniel Levy holds out for a £14m permanent transfer. The Daily Mirror say the England winger, who has been linked with Sunderland, believes a temporary switch will aid his chances of getting into the Three Lions squad for Euro 2016.

Watford and West Bromwich Albion have also shown an interest this month but neither appear willing to match Levy’s valuation – leaving the former Queens Park Rangers man in limbo. Until the stalemate with the Spurs hierarchy is resolved, Townsend’s uncertain future looks unlikely to be resolved.