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Barcelona star Neymar—a longstanding transfer target for Manchester United—has admitted he's aware of interest from archrivals Manchester City.

According to AS, he smiled and said "Yes, yes" when asked about City's interest. On whether he sees himself staying at Barca for his entire career he said: "I don't know, life is long."

However, he also confirmed he was in the process of renewing his contract with the Blaugrana and was optimistic with how that was going. Further, when asked if he might follow Pep Guardiola to the Etihad Stadium if the Spaniard takes over, he said: "No, not that."

The Brazilian is in typically stunning form this season with 16 goals and 11 assists to his name in just 19 games and is now arguably only behind team-mate Lionel Messi in the stakes for being the best in the world.

Football journalist Rafael Hernandez believes as much:

A player of Neymar's quality would be an unbelievable coup for either side, and with United in particular struggling, he could give the club a lift.

Per Sport's Joaquim Piera, Real Madrid president Florentino Perez is also desperate to land the superstar to the point of "obsession" and will seemingly stop at nothing to land his man, having contacted the player's father several times.

The 23-year-old has little reason to depart the Camp Nou anytime soon, though, as he is currently enjoying the best form of his life, having formed an incredibly effective partnership with Messi and Luis Suarez up front and helped his side win five out of six possible trophies in 2015.

If he ever does decide to leave Barca then United and City—being two of the few clubs who could afford him—will undoubtedly be among those pursuing him, but that won't be anytime soon, if it happens at all.

As for Real, while the example of Luis Figo—one of several high-profile players to play for both Real and Barca—will give Perez hope, Neymar's loyalty to the club makes such a move highly unlikely, according to Piera.

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Another star name on United's wish list is Los Blancos' Gareth Bale, per the Times' James Ducker. However, according to Gazzetta World, Carlo Ancelotti is hoping to sign the Welshman when he becomes manager of Bayern Munich in the summer.

Though relatively few British players ever play abroad, Bale has already done so with Real Madrid and so might not be averse to moving to the Bundesliga, particularly as he has the opportunity for great success with Bayern.

United would likely also prove tempting if he were to leave Real, though, so if he decides to leave the Bernabeu, they still have a fairly strong chance of acquiring his signature.

A somewhat less marquee target for United is Bournemouth's Matt Ritchie, according to the Mirror's Tom Hopkinson, with Everton, West Ham United and West Bromwich Albion also among his admirers.



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The 26-year-old has been one of the Cherries' top performers this season, and the winger has scored twice and assisted three in the league.

Though United are currently floundering in sixth place after three consecutive defeats, they nevertheless have the resources and pulling power to ensure they land him ahead of the other suitors if they so choose.

With Louis van Gaal under immense pressure in the Red Devils hot seat at the moment, it's difficult to predict how the January transfer market will go for them, as the Dutchman may not even be in charge.

Ritchie could add some much-needed natural width, though, so while he may not be a star name, he could be of use to United.