Manchester United have launched the first half of an unexpected title challenge heading into the January transfer window, with the prospect of a 21st top-flight crown now effectively in their hands.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side currently sit joint-top at the top of the Premier League table with a game in hand over leaders Liverpool following a fine run of form heading into the New Year.
As one of the biggest clubs in world football, the Red Devils have been linked with a host of high-profile names throughout Europe and beyond as they consider bolstering their squad in an attempt to maintain their title charge.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up all of Man United's rumoured incoming transfer targets for the January window.
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Position: Midfielder
Current club: Aston Villa
Rumoured price tag: £90m-£100m
Interest level: High
Man United have been admirers of Jack Grealish for a number of years now, but the Aston Villa talisman's price continues to rise with his reputation as he enjoys another fine campaign with his boyhood club.
Villa are thought to want up to £100m for their captain and, while Man United are still interested in the 25-year-old, a January move looks very unlikely.
Manchester City are also thought to be interested in Grealish and could provide Man United with stiff competition for his signature.
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Position: Midfielder
Current club: Independiente del Valle
Rumoured price tag: £4m
Interest level: High
Nineteen-year-old midfielder Moises Caicedo has caught the eye of Manchester United with his performances for Ecuadorian outfit Independiente del Valle.
Valued at just £4m, interest from the Premier League in the promising youngster has been confirmed, although Independiente have denied striking an agreement with Manchester United yet.
Chelsea and Everton are also understood to be weighing up moves for the midfielder, while Ajax are among the interested parties away from the Premier League.
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Position: Forward
Current club: Juventus
Rumoured price tag: £63m
Interest level: Medium
Paulo Dybala was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford last summer, and those rumours have arisen again upon the opening of the January window.
The Argentine's contract at Juventus is due to expire at the end of next season and, while talks over an extension are currently ongoing, the Italian outfit are understood to have decided to cash in on him if he rejects the terms on offer.
A swap deal with Paul Pogba has been mooted as a potential option and Man United are keeping tabs on his situation, although such a high-profile transfer in January looks unlikely.
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Position: Winger
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Rumoured price tag: £100m
Interest level: High
Jadon Sancho to Manchester United was the rumour which dominated the summer transfer window without ever coming to fruition, with the Red Devils ultimately failing to meet Dortmund's asking price.
Sancho's form has since tailed off, but Man United are still understood to be very interested in bringing the 20-year-old back to England.
The prospect of that happening in January appears slim, although United chiefs are hopeful that they will be able to strike a deal for less than £100m given Sancho's dip in performance levels since the summer saga.
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Position: Midfielder
Current club: Toulouse
Rumoured price tag: £4.5m
Interest level: Medium
Man United have focused more on bringing in youth over the past year or so, and Toulouse midfielder Kouadio Kone could be the next step in that process.
The 19-year-old has broken into the Toulouse first team, but is also reportedly wanted by Leeds United and AC Milan after impressing for the Ligue 2 outfit.
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Position: Winger
Current club: Bayern Munich
Rumoured price tag: £36m
Interest level: Low
Kingsley Coman has been in and out of the Bayern Munich side this season, again resulting in links with a move away in search of more regular first-team football.
However, Man United are understood to have higher priority targets in that area of the field, while Coman himself has poured cold water on speculation that he could leave the European champions.
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Position: Striker
Current club: Borussia Dortmund
Rumoured price tag: £90m
Interest level: High
Reports have suggested that Erling Braut Haaland has now overtaken his Dortmund teammate Sancho as Man United's top long-term target, although the prospect of that deal happening in January is virtually non-existent.
Haaland has repeatedly expressed his happiness at Dortmund for now and, while Real Madrid are thought to be lining up a move in the summer, Man United are more likely to wait until a release clause comes into play in 2022 to make their swoop.
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Position: Midfielder
Current club: West Ham United
Rumoured price tag: £80m
Interest level: Low
Chelsea have been leading the race for West Ham midfielder Declan Rice for some time, and that is still understood to be the case, but recent reports have suggested that Man United have a growing interest in the 21-year-old too.
The Hammers have no intent of letting their prized asset leave in January, though, despite rumoured interest from Liverpool and Manchester City too.
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Position: Defender
Current club: Schalke 04
Rumoured price tag: £22.5m
Interest level: Low
At 20 years old, Ozan Kabak has been earmarked as a potential centre-back star of the future, despite Schalke's dreadful form in the Bundesliga so far this season.
Liverpool and AC Milan have also been linked with the Turkey international, while Crystal Palace are understood to have entered the race too. Manchester United are not thought to be actively pursuing their low-level interest, but are keeping tabs on him as they continue to look for defensive options.
Barney Corkhill
