Man Utd 'enquire' over £17m striker, Newcastle United 'consider' goalkeeper & it's not Ramsdale or De Gea

Aston Villa captain John McGinn says he is issuing a ban on the world title in his squad - but make no mistake about it we have a thrilling Premier League title race on our hands. Villa beat Arsenal 1-0 in an intense game on Saturday as Liverpool remained top of the table following a dramatic victory over Crystal Palace earlier in the day.

With Manchester City never out of the equation, we have four sides who have shown their title credentials as the season heads towards the halfway mark. There can only be one winner, but the race is shaping up to be an exciting one - and something that could have a major impact on the outcome is the January transfer window. Some clubs will be busier than others although none of the current top four are the main focus in today's transfer rumour round-up.

Manchester United, fresh off the back of a humiliating 3-0 defeat to Bournemouth - the Cherries first-ever one at Old Trafford - are linked with a striker and defender while Newcastle United have been credited with a fresh interest in a new goalkeeper, and no it isn't David De Gea or Arsenal's Aaron Ramsdale. So join us below for a look at Sunday's transfer rumour round-up.

Man Utd 'enquire' over Serhou Guirassy deal

Manchester United have made official enquiries to Stuttgart over striker Serhou Guirassy, according to Florian Plettenberg of Sky Sports Germany. The 27-year-old is able to leave the Bundesliga club for a bargain price of around £17m due to a release clause but the deal is at an 'early stage'. Guirassy is 'open' to talks with Erik ten Hag's side but his preference is said to stay at Stuttgart until the summer. Guirassy is enjoying an incredible season in Germany with 18 goals and two assists in all competitions, and has also been linked with Newcastle United.

3AM verdict: Man United are certainly in need of a striker who can score goals, and Guirassy could provide that. His signing is a low risk one given his release clause is only around £17m - which is not a large number in the context of today's transfer market. This is no mere loose transfer link either, as Plettenberg is a hugely-reliable source when it comes to German football. Only two sides outside the relegation zone have scored fewer goals than the Red Devils this term amid poor form from Marcus Rashford and summer signing Rasmus Højlund, who has yet to score his first Premier League goal. So, it would make sense Ten Hag may be looking at another striking option.

Newcastle 'eye' new goalkeeper target

Newcastle United are considering a move for Crystal Palace goalkeeper Sam Johnstone amid an injury blow to first-choice Nick Pope. That is according to the Daily Star, with Eddie Howe's side set to be without Pope for around four months. The Magpies have already been linked with moves for free agent David De Gea and Arsenal second choice shot-stopper Aaron Ramsdale. Johnstone signed a new deal at Selhurst Park last month which runs until the summer of 2027. However, he is said to be available for around £8million and is viewed long-term as someone who could compete for the number one shirt once Pope is fit again.

3AM verdict: Newcastle boss Howe insisted earlier this week the Magpies had not made any enquiries over a new goalkeeper. However, it would make sense for the Magpies manager to keep talk of new goalkeepers out of the public forum as not to dent the confidence of Martin Dúbravka, who Newcastle will need to rely upon in Pope's absence, unless they make a January move. Johnstone may also have reservations about heading to the north east, where he might have trouble getting in the team once Pope is fit. A short-term solution to Pope's injury certainly feels like the more sensible option for Howe and his squad.

Man Utd 'lead race' to sign Jean-Clair Todibo

Man United are currently ahead of Tottenham Hotspur in the race for the signature of Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo, per a report from Football Insider. There has been 'increased' interest from Spurs in recent weeks but the Red Devils are said to be keen on a new centre-back this winter with Raphael Varane falling down the pecking order and Lisandro Martinez continuing to struggle with injury. United signed Jonny Evans on a one-year deal in the summer, and are likely to need reinforcements in the position in the coming windows. Sir Jim Ratcliffe's INEOS group are majority owners at Nice, and if the British billionaire can have his minority United takeover ratified, his links to the French club would help in any potential deal.

3AM verdict: Jean-Clair Todibo is a name who has been linked with an Old Trafford switch for a number of months now, and Ratcliffe's strong links with Nice would certainly make a potential deal much easier to complete. United do have a poor defensive record that needs addressed, with Ten Hag's side the only team in the top half with a negative goal difference. A new centre-back option certainly makes sense, whether they can get a deal completed is another story.