Sports Mole rounds up all of the latest transfer news in the Premier League on Thursday, December 31.

Thursday morning's Premier League transfer talk news roundup:

Manchester United 'interested in signing Jules Kounde'

Manchester United have reportedly identified Sevilla's Jules Kounde as a transfer target.

The centre-back was strongly linked with a move to Manchester City during the summer transfer window, but the Citizens were unable to agree a price with the 22-year-old's Spanish club.

According to Mundo Deportivo, United also have an interest in the former France Under-21s international, who has scored twice in 18 appearances for Julen Lopetegui's side during the 2020-21 campaign.

The report claims that the 20-time English champions view Kounde as a leading target at the back, although Villarreal's Pau Torres, Leicester City's Caglar Soyuncu, Schalke 04's Ozan Kabak and Brighton & Hove Albion's Ben White are also being considered.

Sevilla are in a strong position when it comes to the Frenchman's future as he has a contract at Estadio Ramon until June 2024 with a release clause thought to be in the region of €80m (£72m).

United are allegedly keen to shift both Phil Jones and Marcos Rojo in 2021 before bringing a new central defender to the club to battle the likes of Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Axel Tuanzebe.

Jadon Sancho 'will leave Borussia Dortmund next summer'

Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho is reportedly expected to leave the club next summer, with Manchester United waiting in the wings to sign him.

The 20-year-old, who still remains United's top target in the summer, is one of four players that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is thought to want to help bolster his squad.

Football journalist Fabrizio Romano has claimed that Dortmund are not prepared to entertain any offers in next month's transfer window, but would consider a sale for the right price next summer.

"Next summer I expect Jadon Sancho to leave the club. Yes, he was really one step away from leaving Borussia Dortmund this summer, Manchester United were really close to signing him for €100m (£90m)," Romano told Que Golazo Podcast.

"But then Borussia Dortmund changed their plans, but Manchester United had the agreement with the player and his agents, so everything was ready, and then the deal collapsed at the last stages.

"That's why I say next summer, I expect Jadon Sancho to leave the club and be back in the Premier League."

Sancho has made 18 appearances for the German club in all competitions this season, scoring four goals and provided eight assists.

More transfer news from Premier League:

Barcelona 'to extend Riqui Puig contract until June 2023'
Barcelona plan to extend Riqui Puig's contract at Camp Nou until June 2023, according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. Read more.

Manchester United lining up Max Aarons bid?
Norwich City defender Max Aarons emerges as a transfer target for Manchester United, according to a report. Read more.

Out-of-contract XI 2020-21 - Lionel Messi, Sergio Ramos, Sergio Aguero
Sports Mole picks a combined XI of players who are set to become free agents when their contracts at their respective clubs expire in the summer of 2021. Read more.

Manchester United 'could sign Max Aarons for £20m next summer'
Manchester United could sign Norwich City defender Max Aarons for £20m next summer, according to a report. Read more.

Barcelona 'will sign Erling Braut Haaland if Emili Rousaud wins presidential election'
Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Braut Haaland will join Barcelona if Emili Rousaud becomes the Catalan club's new president, claims the candidate's aide. Read more.

Liverpool 'identify two defensive transfer targets'
Ajax's Perr Schuurs and Schalke 04's Ozan Kabak are transfer targets for Liverpool, according to a report. Read more.

Wolverhampton Wanderers 'will attempt to sign Georginio Wijnaldum'
Wolverhampton Wanderers will make an attempt to sign Liverpool midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum, according to a report. Read more.

Omar Rekik 'to join Arsenal in £540,000 deal'
Arsenal will sign Hertha Berlin youngster Omar Rekik in January, according to a report. Read more.

Arsenal 'could move for Christian Eriksen in January'
Arsenal could move for Inter Milan attacker Christian Eriksen in January, according to a report. Read more.

Timothy Fosu-Mensah 'offered Manchester United contract until June 2024'
Manchester United offer versatile defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah a new contract until June 2024, according to a report. Read more.

Manchester United 'must sell before they can buy in January'
Manchester United are in no position to bolster their squad in the January transfer window unless they can sell several unwanted players first, according to a report. Read more.

Leeds United 'interested in signing Julian Draxler'
Leeds Untied are reportedly interested in signing Paris Saint-Germain attacker Julian Draxler. Read more.

Chelsea 'join Manchester United, Liverpool in Jadon Sancho race'
Chelsea reportedly join Liverpool and Manchester United in the race to sign Borussia Dortmund attacker Jadon Sancho in the summer transfer window. Read more.

Lionel Messi 'to stay at Barcelona until 2023'
Lionel Messi is reportedly ready to stay on at Barcelona until 2023 before moving to the United States to play for David Beckham's Inter Miami. Read more.

Tottenham Hotspur 'want to sign Diego Costa in January'
Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly planning a January offer to sign former Chelsea and Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa. Read more.

Mauricio Pochettino to take Dele Alli with him to Paris Saint-Germain?
Mauricio Pochettino is reportedly weighing up a January move for Dele Alli once he is confirmed as the new manager of Paris Saint-Germain. Read more.

Borussia Dortmund 'interested in Manchester City's Jayden Braaf'
Borussia Dortmund are reportedly considering a move for Manchester City youngster Jayden Braaf, who is deemed to be the next Jadon Sancho. Read more.

Liverpool 'cool Milan Skriniar interest due to Inter Milan asking price'
Liverpool cool their interest in Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar, according to a report. Read more.

Sami Khedira 'open to Premier League move amid Everton interest'
Juventus midfielder Sami Khedira, who continues to be linked with Everton, is reportedly keen on a move to England. Read more.

Sead Kolasinac 'in talks over January Arsenal exit'
Arsenal left-back Sead Kolasinac wants to return to Schalke 04 after falling down the pecking order at Arsenal, according to a report. Read more.

Sheffield United to move for Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet?
Sheffield United are reportedly interested in signing Hibernian striker Kevin Nisbet in the January transfer window. Read more.

Emerson Palmieri set for Chelsea exit?
Chelsea left-back Emerson Palmeri is reportedly set to leave the club after struggling for first-team action, with Napoli keen to bring him back to Serie A. Read more.

What deals could be done in the January transfer window?
The January sales could be a busy time in the English top flight. Read more.