Man Utd’s international man of mystery, Lampard the loan arranger, Chelsea lead the race

Who doesn’t love a film over Christmas? Hollywood blockbusters are commonplace on television over the festive season as families cosy up in front of the small screen and forget about the cold outside.

Yet it would be a surprise if any Hollywood offerings could offer a plot twist like the one Manchester United seem to have pulled off over the last few days. In these days of widespread media coverage, social media speculation and the numerous ITKs, announcing a new signing is normally played out to a background of transfer tittle-tattle and rumour.

Yet the Red Devils seem to have foregone any announcement after the Premier League revealed a new addition to Erik ten Hag’s squad just days before the window opens for business. Listed alongside the likes of Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes is little known Portuguese striker Alberto Alves Coelho - also known as Betinho.

A quick scour of website shows the 29-year-old currently plays for Portuguese side Espinho after spending time with Sporting and Belenenses earlier in his career. A shock move to Old Trafford would not represent his first venture into England after he spent a short spell on loan at Brentford during the 2014/15 season.

So, is this ‘signing’ a glitch in The Matrix or have the 13-time Premier League champions pulled off a signing that even Sherlock Holmes would struggled to figure out?

Toffees boss wants to be the loan arranger

Everton suffered something of a nightmare AFTER Christmas went they fell to a late defeat against Wolverhampton Wanderers on Boxing Day.

That left Frank Lampard’s men sat one point and one place above the Premier League relegation zone and it will be down to the former England midfielder to lead another successful battle against the drop throughout the second half of the season. Lampard’s immediate focus may well be on a daunting year-ending trip to Manchester City - but his planning for the January transfer window is already well underway according to the Daily Mail.

One of the Toffees manager’s main targets is said to be Manchester United winger Antony Elanga - although a number of Premier League clubs are also believed to be keen on the Red Devils youngster. The 20-year-old has made 14 appearances for Erik ten Hag’s side but the recent rise of Alejandro Garnacho could limit his opportunities over the remainder of the campaign.

Potter looking to conjure up a new midfielder

Yes, it’s a predictable headline and we are sure we are far from the only ones that will use some sort of magic reference when it comes to Graham Potter.

The Chelsea manager is reportedly ready to plunder former club Brighton and Hove Albion once again as he pursues a deal for World Cup winning midfielder Alexis Mac Allister. The Seagulls star impressed throughout the tournament in Qatar and is attracting interest from several clubs around Europe ahead of the January transfer window.

TyC Sport journalist Gaston Edul has now claimed Chelsea, Arsenal and La Liga club Atletico Madrid (‘In that order’) are showing the most interest in a deal - but has also stated ‘it is difficult’ for the midfielder to leave Brighton in January, meaning a deal ‘may take place’ in June.