TRANSFER GOSSIP: Manchester United watch top striker target again - but could face competition for him - as Lyon eye loan for Chelsea's Benoit Badiashile and five clubs chase Ian Maatsen

Christmas may be just around the corner but that doesn't mean a pause in football's rumour mill ahead of the January transfer window.

Mail Sport revealed Manchester United's transfer chief John Murtough has been in Saudi Arabia for talks with Jadon Sancho, Casemiro, Anthony Martial and Raphael Varane potentially up for sale next month. 

Meanwhile, Donny van de Beek's nightmare time at Old Trafford could finally be drawing to a close.

Liverpool aren't ruling out January signings with defensive midfield and defence the priorities for Jurgen Klopp.

Here's our morning round-up of the latest transfer gossip on Tuesday.   

Manchester United had another look at striker target Serhou Guirassy as Stuttgart lost 3-0 to Bayern Munich in the Bundesliga on Sunday (90min). 

But United could face competition from West Ham for the Guinea international, who has scored 18 goals already this season (talkSPORT). 

Mauro Icardi will leave Galatasaray and sign for Real Madrid in January (Turkish reports via Radio Marca). 

Lyon are interested in taking Chelsea defender Benoit Badiashile on loan for the second half of the season (Foot Mercato). 

Barcelona will listen to offers for Brazil international Raphinha - with one proposal to swap him for Manchester United outcast Jadon Sancho (Sport). 

Chelsea could offload left-back Ian Maatsen in January with interest from Manchester City, West Ham, Borussia Dortmund, Napoli and Roma (90min). 

Norwich are bracing themselves for transfer interest in winger Jon Rowe next month after they rejected a £15m offer from Wolves in the summer (The Sun). 

Fulham are considering a January bid for Montpellier forward Akor Adams and have sent scouts to watch him several time this season (Football Insider).