Manchester United Transfer News: £8m Rated French Wonderkid, Gaitán And Carrick

Manchester United set to make French wonder-kid Kurt Zouma as their second January transfer after already sealing a deal with Crystal Palace for Zaha.

Manchester United scouts rated Zouma as a long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand and United are expected to make an official bid in next two days.

Ferguson is keen to add Zouma to his defensive options which already include Johnny Evans, Chris Smalling and Phil Jones.

Swansea City also reportedly made a bid for the French U-19 player, but St Etienne rejected the offer. Now Manchester United are in pole position to sign Zouma.

In other Manchester United news, Benfica’s Argentine pair Ezequiel Garay and midfielder Nicolás Gaitán are also in United’s targets list. United also ready to offer Carrick a new deal at the end of the season to reward his brilliant performances this season so far. The 31-year-old’s current contract expires in 2014, and Ferguson is eager to extend that by another year.