According to reports, Manchester United has decided not to pursue Karim Benzema, while Paris Saint-Germain is interested in acquiring Bruno Guimaraes from Newcastle for a hefty £100 million.

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Manchester United have decided against pursuing the signing of Karim Benzema from Al-Ittihad in the January transfer window, according to the Mirror. The club is in need of reinforcements up front after a challenging season in terms of goal-scoring, having scored only 24 Premier League goals compared to Manchester City’s 48. However, they have chosen not to pursue Benzema due to concerns about his age and wage demands. The former Real Madrid striker has recently fallen out with his manager at Al-Ittihad and is keen on returning to Europe. Chelsea and Arsenal are also interested in signing a striker, but it remains to be seen if they would consider offering Benzema an escape route from Saudi Arabia.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who is expected to complete his purchase of a 25% stake in Manchester United next month, is eager to sign a striker of Harry Kane’s caliber, according to the Standard. The report states that Ratcliffe sees a new striker as a priority, along with a new midfielder, centre-back, and right-back. Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise is also a key transfer target for United. In terms of centre-back options, Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and Nice’s Jean Clair Todibo are admired, although other Premier League clubs are also interested in signing them.

Paris Saint-Germain could consider a move for Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes if the Premier League club needs to sell players to address financial concerns and balance their squad, reports the Daily Mail. Newcastle’s chief executive recently spoke about the need to comply with the Premier League’s Profit and Sustainability Rules. Selling players could benefit Newcastle in the long term, and they may be willing to offload Guimaraes, who has a £100m release clause. Other players could also be sold to free up funds for potential targets such as Manchester City’s Kalvin Phillips, who is attracting interest from Crystal Palace and Fulham.

Chelsea is demanding £35m for Ian Maatsen if he is sold in the summer, according to the Standard. The 21-year-old defender is currently on loan at Borussia Dortmund but has signed a contract extension with Chelsea until 2026. The club expects Maatsen’s loan move to Dortmund to increase his value and hopes to receive the full £35m release clause when it becomes active in the summer. Dortmund, however, will not have first refusal on the player.