Manchester United are in talks with a highly-rated French star to become Ralf Rangnick’s first buy as Manchester United interim manager.

Marseille midfielder Boubacar Kamara has been linked with the Red Devils all month long – and now transfer guru Nicolo Schira has claimed that the Old Trafford outfit have offered a five-year contract to the player, whose deal in the south of France expires at the end of the season.

United were expected to make big moves in the winter transfer window but have been surprisingly quiet. Anthony Martial recently departed for Sevilla but aside from that, Rangnick has made little business of note.

Despite the inaction, the 63-year-old interim manager has been given a remit to revamp – and will step into a consultancy role at the end of his temporary tenure.

The arrival of a new defensive midfielder will be a huge boost to the club’s Champions League qualification hopes. United’s central core has been heavily criticised throughout the season, with Fred and Scott McTominay holding down the fort as the first-choice pair. The ageing Nemanja Matic has stepped in as a squad option.

22-year-old Kamara will provide long-term competition for a position. It’s thought that the fee for the player will be around £10m.