Manchester United Transfer News: Cissokho, Javi Martinez, Henen Linked; Will They Join In Summer?

Manchester United are chasing French left-back Aly Cissokho, according to TalkSport.

The 24-year-old Lyon star is apparently eager for a move away and is keen on a trasnfer to Old Trafford, according to his agent Al Barat.

Aly wants to play in the Premier League because he feels it suits his game, Barat said, according to TalkSport. He has already turned down interest from AC Milan and Juventus because he wants to move to the Premier League and his preferred destination would be Manchester United.

The report states that United manager Sir Alex Ferguson wants the France international on an initial loan deal before making the move permanent.

But a deal for Cissokho would appear somewhat unlikely given that Patrice Evra has been the undisputed first-choice at left-back for several seasons.

While Evra has not had his best campaign, with several defensive lapses hampering his game, it would still be a major surprise if Ferguson were to replace a player that is highly respected at Old Trafford and has captained the side on a number of occasions.

The notion that Cissokho will be brought in with a view to him becoming Evra's long-term successor also appears more than a little questionable. At the age of 30, Evra will have no plans to fade in the backdrop anytime soon, while Cissokho is unlikely to want to come and sit on the bench.

Other transfer news involving United concerns that of long-term rumored target Javi Martinez.

According to Caught Offside, the club are ready to meet Athletic Bilbao's €34 million ($45m) asking price for the 23-year-old midfielder.

While Bilbao's exciting young side continue to perform impressively in the Europa League, the team's form has suffered of late in La Liga. With the club now looking unlikely to qualify for the Champions League, Martinez could be angling for a move away for San Mames come the summer.

Javi Martinez would be an ideal signing in the middle of the park for United and is surely on Ferguson's wish list. But whether the Red Devils can firstly tempt Bilbao to sell and then also beat off competition from many of the top clubs across Europe, who will also surely be in for the player, remains to be seen.

It is also being reported, by the Daily Mail, that United are monitoring the progress of teenage Belgian striker David Henen. The 15-year-old is currently on the books of Anderlecht and is being pursued by a host of Europe's leading clubs. However, according to the report, United are currently leading the race for Henen's signature.