AC Milan have overtaken Manchester United in the race to sign highly rate Atletico Madrid midfielder Koke, the Express understands.
The 21 year old, who has been impressing in Diego Simeone’s side this season, has been labelled as the next Xavi with reports suggesting that he could even replace him at the Nou Camp in the future.
Liverpool have also been linked with a move to secure his services, though Milan are thought to be the front runners as they look to salvage something from an as yet disappointing Serie A campaign which has seen them take just fourteen points from their opening thirteen games.
Elsewhere, United target Leighton Baines has been ruled out for up to six weeks after fracturing a toe on his right foot, the Daily Star understands.
The Premier League champions are set to reopen negotiations with the Toffee’s in January after having two bids for the England international rejected during the summer.
Meanwhile, the side who face Bayer Leverkusen tomorrow evening will wear black armbands in mark of respect to legendary defender Bill Foulkes, who passed away on Monday morning, aged 81.
Tributes will also be held in the match against Everton on December 4th – the next at Old Trafford – for the former captain, who was one of the survivors from the Munich air crash.