With the calendar soon turning over to the new year, the gossip ahead of the January transfer window is heating up. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest rumours.

Mkhitaryan in line for Dortmund return

Days after sources told ESPN FC that Henrikh Mkhitaryan was fighting to save his Manchester United career after being dropped by Jose Mourinho following a row, the Independent reports that he could go back to one of his former clubs.

Mkhitaryan, 28, has been absent from most of United's recent squads, with sources saying he had angered Mourinho by disagreeing with the manager's assessment of his performance as a substitute against Brighton last month.

Now the Independent reports that Borussia Dortmund are ready to bring him back to the Westfalenstadion, with United "understood to be willing to let him go" if the deal is right.

It adds that Dortmund, who "have so far shown the strongest interest" in Mkhitaryan, have previously re-signed other high-profile ex-players including Shinji Kagawa and Mario Gotze.

After falling out with Jose Mourinho, Henrikh Mkhitaryan could be set to return to Borussia Dortmund. Tom Purslow/Man Utd via Getty Images

A Mkhitaryan move could also have an impact on United's incoming business -- Dortmund's Julian Weigl is a reported target, and the Independent says a switch "could facilitate those negotiations."

However, the Mail reports that Dortmund may face competition from Inter Milan, adding that United "will demand over £35 million for Mkhitaryan should clubs enquire in the coming weeks."

City ready to join Zaha chase

Chelsea had seemed set to move to the front of the queue to sign Crystal Palace winger Wilfried Zaha but Manchester City could be set to thwart them, according to the Mirror.

Runaway league leaders City "are ready to join the £40m chase for Zaha," who has excelled in the revival that has lifted Palace out of the bottom three.

The Mirror reports that City "have begun doing the groundwork on a potential deal for Zaha, who they view as one alternative to Arsenal's Alexis Sanchez."

Pep Guardiola's side "face stiff competition from French league leaders Paris Saint-Germain" in the battle for Sanchez, "leading them to lay the foundations for a possible Zaha swoop."

Manchester City reportedly are eyeing up Wilfried Zaha as a potential alternative to Alexis Sanchez. IAN KINGTON/AFP/Getty Images

Chelsea eager to agree new Christensen deal

Chelsea are keen to stave off potential interest in defender Andreas Christensen, according to the London Evening Standard, which says they will open talks about a contract extension early in the new year.

The 21-year-old, whose current deal runs until 2020, has been in outstanding form since breaking into the first team following two loan campaigns at Borussia Monchengladbach.

The Standard reports that Chelsea "want to reward him for his fine performances with improved terms before he joins up with Denmark for the World Cup next summer."

It adds that the champions "have made new contracts for Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois a priority for 2018, but securing Christensen's future is also regarded as an important piece of business."

Tap-ins

- Scottish club Rangers want to sign Brighton winger Jamie Murphy, but the Scotsman reports that the Seagulls do not want to let him go.

It says Rangers "are considering a £1.2m offer in the January window" but Brighton boss Chris Hughton intends to keep the player despite the fact he has not featured for the first team since September.

- Championship leaders Wolves are among the clubs interested in Iran forward Saman Ghoddos, according to the Birmingham Mail.

Ghoddos, who plays for Swedish club Ostersunds, has also been linked with Fulham and Queens Park Rangers after a prolific run of form and would be valued at more than £4.5m.