Manchester United target Rúben Neves and Conor Gallagher as January signings

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Manchester United are monitoring Al-Hilal’s Rúben Neves and Atlético Madrid’s Conor Gallagher as potential January signings to strengthen Ruben Amorim’s squad. Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams is also of interest but any deal for the American is not likely until the close season.United are also vying with Liverpool and Manchester City to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth in early January but the forward is thought to favour joining Liverpool, with City his second choice, so Amorim faces a fight to convince him.Amorim’s preference is to sign players with Premier League experience, which Neves and Gallagher, as well as the Bournemouth pair, have.

Any move for him is not expected to occur until the summer.Semenyo, who scored in Monday’s game, has a release clause understood to be slightly less than £65m, with the sum including loyalty money and agent payments, and it has to be triggered early next month. The City manager may consider departing this summer but this should not affect any decision Semenyo makes.Amorim wants Semenyo to strengthen his options at wingback and forward.

Before United’s draw with Bournemouth Amorim described the Ghana international as a “special” footballer. At left wing-back, Patrick Dorgu, Amorim’s first signing last January, has failed to impress and his other option, Diogo Dalot, is primarily a right-back.Amorim has lost the forwards Amad Diallo and Mbeumo to, respectively, Côte d’Ivoire and Cameroon, who are at the Africa Cup of Nations.