Transfer news round up: Manchester United close in on Mata; Rooney fancied by Real Madrid; Arsenal rejoin the hunt for Rodrigo

Your guide to the biggest stories of the day as the transfer window slowly hots up

Manchester United are reportedly set to overcome fervent efforts from Atlético Madrid to hijack their £40m-plus move for Juan Mata (Getty Images)

Manchester United are reportedly set to overcome fervent efforts from Atlético Madrid to hijack their £40m-plus move for Juan Mata by concluding a club-record deal for the Chelsea playmaker by the weekend.

Atlético, level on points with La Liga leaders Barcelona, are supposedly prepared to offer United manager David Moyes first option to sign seventeen-goal Diego Costa and Brazilian full-back Filipe Luís in return for withdrawing their interest in the Spaniard.

United have also reportedly been informed that Spanish giants Real Madrid are putting a package into place to sign Wayne Rooney after identifying the England forward as a more realistic target than Sergio Agüero.

Arsenal are adding the final touches to a £20m offer for Julian Draxler which will include Lukas Podolski leaving for Schalke, according to reports.

Atlético manager Diego Simeone has expressed his desire to sign on-loan goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois from Chelsea and is prepared to part with a considerable outlay.

Premier League leaders Arsenal are among three clubs striving to strike a deal for Benfica forward Rodrigo before the end of the January transfer window, according to reports.

Newcastle United director of football Joe Kinnear appears to have secured the services of Borussia Monchengladbach forward Luuk De Jong after flying to Germany to finalise a £8.5m deal.

Nani looks set to leave Old Trafford after Serie A leaders Juventus joined Sporting Lisbon in the pursuit of the Portuguese star.

Arsenal have asked Italian leaders Juventus to keep them informed of Mirko Vucinic’s situation as the striker’s transfer to Inter Milan neared collapse today.

AC Milan have reportedly inquired into the availability of Leicester City goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel - but it remains to be seen whether the Dane is willing to leave the Championship leaders.

Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has urged Tim Sherwood to make a decision concerning Tom Carroll's immediate future as the Tottenham boss considers recalling his on-loan star.