Manchester United transfer news: Real Madrid midfielder to hold talks with United, defender to leave Old Trafford, and more - 29th December 2018

Manchester United's interim manager Ole Gunnar Solksjaer began his Manchester United managerial career with two wins from two matches, both emphatic victories, with the swagger of old.

Heading into their final game of 2018, the Red Devils are currently in 6th position, 8 points off the fourth-placed team, Chelsea.

As we head into the January transfer window, the club has been linked with a host of players, as Solksjaer is going to have a say in the players that the club brings in the transfer window.

In today's Manchester United rumour roundup, we look at the players that may come into the club in January, as well as one player who may leave the club.

Here is today's Manchester United transfer roundup:

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#1 Toby Alderweireld's new Spurs contract

Toby Alderweireld will be available for £25 million

Tottenham Hotspur have had to quell rumours and speculation about their manager, Mauricio Pochettino, leaving the club for Manchester United or Real Madrid, with speculation rising every day.

One player who is certain to leave the club in the future is defender Toby Alderweireld, who refused to sign a new contract with the North London club. The Belgian defender's contract was set to expire at the end of the summer, and he was heavily linked to a move to Old Trafford earlier this year.

Pochettino has now confirmed that Alderweireld's contract at Spurs will be extended as the club will trigger a contract extension clause, which will keep him at the club till 2020. But there is a caveat in the clause - the Belgian will have a release clause of £25 million in the summer.

Sky Sports have reported that Alderweireld was available for £25 million earlier this year, but no bid was placed for his signature. The Belgian defender joined from Atletico Madrid for £11.5 million in the 2015 transfer window.

#2 Manchester United defender to leave club

Matteo Darmian hasn't featured much for the Red Devils this season

Manchester United need to strengthen at the back, with pundits and fans believing that the Red Devils' defence has caused the club to be in the position that they are in the league table.

But it seems like United are willing to let go off one of their defenders, Italian full-back Matteo Darmian. Darmian hasn't been able to nail down a spot in the United first XI since joining the club in 2015. The versatile full-back looks set to leave the club, with the likes of Inter Milan and Lazio interested in signing the former AC Milan player, according to Calciomercato.

The report suggests that Darmian was set to leave the club earlier this year, with Juventus and Inter, but United's demands put off both clubs. Darmian could leave at the end of his contract on a free, which expires in the summer. But United do have an option to add another year to his contract.

#3 Isco to hold talks with the Red Devils

Isco is set to leave Real Madrid

Real Madrid midfielder Isco is a player who is set to leave the Bernabeu as he is no longer a key part of the Real Madrid starting XI, and the Spanish midfielder has been linked with a host of clubs from around Europe.

The latest club to be interested in the Spaniard is Manchester United, as per Paris United. The report states that Isco's father, who is also his agent, had discussions with Paris Saint-Germain, while he will also have talks with Manchester United, Chelsea, Barcelona, and Juventus.

PSG are frontrunners in signing the midfielder, while Chelsea could demand Isco in any swap deal that involves Eden Hazard moving to the Bernabeu.

Isco, who has won four Champions League titles and one La Liga title with Real Madrid, has featured just 11 times in La Liga for Los Blancos, this season.