Manchester United have made contact with River Plate starlet Julian Alvarez ahead of a potential move in the January transfer window.

What's the story?

Reports last week from Fabrizio Romano claimed that while Ralf Rangnick's side are monitoring the Argentine attacker, there had been no talks going on as things stand.

However, TyC Sports have since revealed that Alvarez's agent Fernando Hidalgo has been contacted by the Red Devils as they push towards making a new signing.

It's added that United have a clear intention of arranging a meeting for New Year's Eve to find out the terms that they need to agree in order to sign Alvarez, while the fee is not thought to be a stumbling block.

Bye-bye Martial

The River Plate youngster is someone who can play anywhere across the frontline, and after a highly impressive campaign in his native Argentina, he was named as part of his country's Copa America squad this summer.

He is very much a creative attacker, bagging four goals and setting up another seven in just 20 appearances last season, including a couple of games where he plundered a hat-trick of assists against Godoy Cruz and Central Cordoba respectively.

This campaign has seen him take his game to another level, scoring 18 times and providing another seven assists in just 21 games in the Argentine top flight.

It's therefore no surprise that Marcelo Gallardo, his manager at club level, has previously hailed the youngster as someone who "every coach would love to have" - not least United's new boss Rangnick.

With reports in recent weeks suggesting that Anthony Martial has requested to leave Old Trafford due to a lack of game-time, this could be the perfect chance for United to get rid of the Frenchman and bring in someone who is much younger and appears to be just as exciting in terms of talent.

The £18m-rated Argentine starlet could arrive at Old Trafford and send Martial on his way as well.

Meanwhile, Man Utd can axe one star by signing this LaLiga sensation...