Man Utd decide January transfer priority but Premier League meeting could impact £40m deal

Manchester United will prioritise the signing of a new central defender in January. Erik ten Hag is down to bare bones at the back after seasoned veteran Jonny Evans joined Lisandro Martinez on the treatment table with a thigh strain.

The Northern Irishman sustained the injury during the first half of United's dramatic 4-3 Champions League defeat to Copenhagen in Denmark. Martinez is not due to return to full fitness until after Christmas and the timely arrival of Sir Jim Ratcliffe as a minority owner could finally help them land a long-standing target in Nice's Jean-Clair Todibo.

The 23-year-old was previously identified as a potential replacement for Harry Maguire last summer but the deal was later blocked when the England international snubbed a £30million permanent switch to West Ham.

United's interest remains strong and now they could return to the table this winter providing high-flying Nice - who are currently unbeaten in Ligue 1 and are also owned by Ratcliffe - are prepared to do business.

Todibo is valued at around £40m with former club Barcelona are also due 20 per cent of any future sale. Newcastle have also scouted the France international this season and much like United, Eddie Howe intends to sign a central defender in January.

Next week at the Premier League shareholders' meeting, a vote will be held to decide whether an interim suspension will be implemented on loan deals between "associated clubs". Any potential ban is temporary but would likely come into effect this January - meaning should INEOS complete their £1.25billion minority purchase of United, the club would be unable to sign players on loan from Nice.

Although that's unlikely to impact the Red Devils at this moment in time, the discussion is