Manchester United are interested in signing Borussia Dortmund defensive midfielder Julian Weigl.

Jose Mourinho is keen to bolster his midfield in the January transfer window and wants to sign a defensively-minded player to free up Paul Pogba.

The 22-year-old has been in fine form for Dortmund this season after returning from a fractured ankle in September, and has drawn admiring glances from clubs across Europe, including Manchester City.

City have scouted the German midfielder on several occasions this season and Spanish daily AS have previously claimed that Pep Guardiola is a big fan.

The fact that Henrikh Mkhitaryan wants to quit Old Trafford also strengthens United’s hand.

It is understood United would now be willing to let him go for the right deal, and Dortmund have so far shown the strongest interest.

That stance would be in line with the Bundesliga club's recruitment history as they have regularly shown a willingness to bring back former players who have struggled elsewhere, such as Mario Goetze, Nuri Sahin and former United player Shinji Kagawa.

While any kind of direct swap is unlikely, a move could facilitate negotiations.

Thursday's biggest transfer stories Show all 7 1 /7 Thursday's biggest transfer stories Thursday's biggest transfer stories Thursday's biggest transfer stories Here are the six biggest talking points from the fourth day of the 2018 winter transfer window. Getty Thursday's biggest transfer stories Danny Rose to Manchester United Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho wants to sign Tottenham's Danny Rose, but is facing resistance from the board, according to the Daily Mail. Mourinho is said to see the 27-year-old as a good fit for the team, though the executives are reportedly still putting their confidence in Luke Shaw, who has fallen out of favour with Mourinho after a bad run of form and injury issues. Tottenham Hotspur FC via Getty I Thursday's biggest transfer stories Alex Sandro interest Both Manchester United and Chelsea could be left disappointed in the January transfer window over their pursuit of Juventus' Alex Sandro, the Independent reports. The 26-year-old is said to be keen to leave the Italian club, but the Serie A champions seem reluctant to lose their defender midway through the season. Getty Images Thursday's biggest transfer stories Thomas Lemar to Liverpool With Philippe Coutinho's Liverpool exit looking ever more likely, the Reds are said to be interested in signing Monaco's Thomas Lemar as his replacement, the Mirror claims. The 22-year-old was on the radar of Liverpool last summer, as well as Arsenal, but it looks like Anfield would be the preferred choice for the France international. Getty Thursday's biggest transfer stories West Brom want Jonny Evans to stay With just 18 months left on his contract, West Brom are hopeful Jonny Evans will commit to a new deal to keep him at The Hawthorns, the Mirror reports. But with interest mounting from Manchester City and Manchester United the club may have to be prepared to sell him. Reports suggest United are willing to offer £20million for the defender, who spent 10 years at Old Trafford before moving to Albion in 2015. Getty Images Thursday's biggest transfer stories Juan Mata to Inter Milan Inter Milan are keeping a close eye on Juan Mata and any possible developments in his contract with Manchester United, according to the Mirror. The 29-year-old's contract is due to expire at the end of the season and, if United do not trigger a one-year extension, the Italian club look poised to make a move for the attacking midfielder. Getty Thursday's biggest transfer stories Lucas Moura to Manchester United Incredibly dangerous with the ball at his feet and linked up well with Cavani that on another day would’ve produced a simple victory. His stunning free-kick deserved a goal as he hit the top side of the cross bar with a fantastic curling effort. Getty

More on United...

Manchester United are willing to strongly challenge Liverpool if the Anfield club go in for Borussia Dortmund’s Christian Pulisic in the summer, as the American talent has emerged as a big target for the Old Trafford hierarchy.

While the 19-year-old attacker is obviously seen as an excellent football signing in his own right and fill a hole for Jose Mourinho’s side, an extra angle is the view that talent could well make him the USA’s first megastar in the sport, with all of the commercial value that will bring.

United’s marketing side would see him as another Paul Pogba in that regard, as do many other suitors.

Liverpool are expected to make a move for Pulisic in the summer window, though, with Jurgen Klopp a huge admirer of his former club’s player.

Sessegnon to stay

Sessegnon is a target for both Manchester United and Tottenham (Getty)

Fulham will not sell teenager Ryan Sessegnon this month despite interest from Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur, vice-chairman Tony Khan has insisted.

The 17-year-old was likely to be targeted by either of the Premier League clubs should either Luke Shaw or Danny Rose move in January in a move that was could eclipse the British transfer record for a teenager – currently held by Anthony Martial at £36m in 2015.

“As it’s been the subject of a great deal of speculation, I’d like to announce that Ryan Sessegnon is staying with Fulham football club and will not be departing during this January transfer window,” Khan told the Telegraph.

“Ryan is a very important part of the Fulham family, and we’re grateful that he’ll be with us as we fight to achieve promotion this season.”

No China move for Aubameyang

Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande have denied they are ready to make a huge bid for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang and maintain that they are focusing on young, homegrown talent.

The Dortmund striker is always a transfer target (Bongarts)

Chinese media had reported that Guangzhou and Beijing Guoan were both looking to sign the Gabon international in a £62m deal this month.

Chinese Super League champions Guangzhou Evergrande have denied they are ready to make a huge bid for Borussia Dortmund striker Pierre-Emerick Aubemayang and maintain that they are focusing on young, homegrown talent.

Chinese media had reported that Guangzhou and Beijing Guoan were both looking to sign the Gabon international in a £62m deal this month.

But Evergrande say they have no plans to spend significant sums on players from overseas.

Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Show all 10 1 /10 Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Chinese Super League 2017 transfers A number of global superstars have moved to the Chinese Super League this transfer window Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Odion Ighalo Watford to Changchun Yatai, £20m Getty Images Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Hernanes Juventus to Hebei China Fortune, £7m Getty Images Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Carlos Tevez Boca Juniors to Shanghai Shenhua, £40m VCG via Getty Images Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Oscar Chelsea to Shanghai SIPG, £60m AFP/Getty Images Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Ricardo Carvalho Monaco to Shanghai SIPG, Free Chelsea FC via Getty Images Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Axel Witsel Zenit Saint Petersburg to Tianjin Quanjian, Free Getty Images Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Alexandre Pato Villarreal CF to Tianjin Quanjian, £15.5m Getty Chinese Super League 2017 transfers John Obi Mikel Chelsea to Tianjin TEDA, Free FIFA via Getty Images Chinese Super League 2017 transfers Cheick Tiote Newcastle United to Beijing BG (second tier), £5m Getty

“Since 2017, we have set out clear principals to sign foreign players who compliment Chinese football and we refuse to pay a premium for any player,” the club said.

“Neither will we join in bidding wars in the transfer market as we are now switching our focus to youth development.

“We will stick to the Evergrande model of building a fully linked youth system to realise our vision of fielding a fully Chinese squad by 2020 to ensure we can consistently contribute to a healthy, stable and sustainable environment for Chinese football.”

News and rumours from around the web

Everton will battle Southampton to sign Arsenal's Theo Walcott, according to the Daily Mail. The paper says the Gunners may consider letting the England forward leave this month, while Everton are confident they can beat the Saints to the 28-year-old's signature.

Theo Walcott starts for the Gunners (Getty)

Tottenham have started new contract talks with Dele Alli amid interest from Europe, the Mirror reports. The paper says Spurs are confident the 21-year-old will sign a new deal, with informal discussions having already taken place, despite transfer links with Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.

Arsene Wenger is eyeing up Bordeaux's 20-year-old Brazilian star Malcom as a potential replacement to Alexis Sanchez, with Arsenal having already started talks with the Ligue 1 club according to the Mirror.

Manchester City have reportedly held talks with West Brom about signing defender Jonny Evans. According to the Daily Mail, Arsenal are also interested in the 30-year-old, but know they would not be able to match any offer City make to Evans.

Could Evans move to City? (Getty)

Martin O'Neill could be in the frame for the vacant Stoke job and was set to meet with club officials, according to the Irish Independent.