Transfer news and rumours: Radamel Falcao to leave Manchester United, Dani Alves in 'talks' over move, William Carvalho to Liverpool

The biggest transfer updates and rumours on Thursday 05 March

Radamel Falcao, Abou Diaby, William Carvalho and Luciano Vietto (Getty Images)

Radamel Falcao’s future at Manchester United continues to be thrown into doubt after the striker was dropped for last night’s 1-0 victory over Newcastle. Reports in France on Wednesday claimed United officials have already decided not to sign Falcao on a permanent basis at the end of the season, despite a clause in his loan contract meaning they can do so for the fee of £43.2m.

However, additional reports on Thursday appear to contradict this, with The Guardian reporting that no decision will be made until May, when Falcao will be nearing the end of his season-long loan deal. United manager Louis van Gaal has made it clear that he wants a prolific striker to join the club after claiming he doesn’t have a “20-goal” forward among his ranks, despite Falcao joining Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie in the side.

Barcelona right-back Dani Alves’ future is also a current hot topic with the Brazilian set to leave the Nou Camp at the end of the season. Alves is out on contract and at the age of 31, wants to seek a new challenge having won everything on offer with the Catalan club. United are one club he is believed to be in talks with, after The Sun reported that his agent has confirmed “advanced talks” are being held regarding a summer move.

Despite United being linked with Porto defender Danilo, a move for Alves could be their way of admitting defeat in their pursuit of his Brazilian compatriot. 23-year-old Danilo is said to be holding out for a move to Real Madrid, according to the Daily Mirror, and he is willing to turn down United, Liverpool and Arsenal to seal the move. Porto are hoping to agree a contract extension with Danilo that will raise his buy-out clause to £40m.

(Getty Images)

West Ham defender Winston Reid has ended talk of a free transfer to either Arsenal or Tottenham after signing a new six-and-a-half year deal that keeps him tied down to the Hammers until 2021. The 26-year-old New Zealand international was available on a free transfer this summer, but has now committed his future to the Premier League club.

William Carvalho remains the subject of intense interest from the Premier League as Liverpool are reported to be weighing up a move for the Sporting Lisbon midfielder. Carvalho has been continually linked with both Arsenal and United as well as the Reds, and the Daily Mirror claims that the Merseyside club will make a move for the 22-year-old after suffering a setback in their pursuit of Roma midfielder Miralem Pjanic.

William Carvalho continues to be linked with a move to the Premier League (GETTY IMAGES)

The agent of Villarreal striker Luciano Vietto has confirmed that both Real Madrid and Liverpool are interested in signing the 21-year-old. As reported in The Sun, Jorge Cysterpiller has confirmed that the reigning European champions have expressed an interest in a summer move, although the Anfield side are still hopeful that they can persuade Vietto to come to the Premier League.

Luciano Vietto is wanted by Liverpool and Real Madrid (Getty Images)

Reports in France suggest that Lyon defender Samuel Umtiti is attracting interest from a host of Premier League clubs, with the highly-rated 21-year-old expected to leave Lyon to strengthen his chances of becoming a mainstay in the France squad. French media outlet FootMercato.net claims that Arsenal, Manchester City, Spurs, Southampton and Everton are all in the hunt to land Umtiti in the summer.

Finally, in rather unsurprising news, Abou Diaby looks to be on his way out of Arsenal following his torrid run of injuries since joining the club. Diaby has made just one appearance for the Gunners this season, which came in the disappointing Capital One Cup defeat to Southampton, and despite recovering from a serious knee injury last season, he is yet to return to the first team in the league.

The Sun claims that the 28-year-old will be released in the summer along with the departure of either club captain Mikel Arteta or Mathieu Flamini to make way for a major signing in the summer, with Wenger finally willing to address the defensive midfield position that has troubled the Gunners for the best part of a decade.