Manchester United transfer rumour: Louis van Gaal sends scouts to watch €60m-rated Yacine Brahimi

Manchester United are preparing a swoop for Porto winger Yacine Brahimi as Louis van Gaal looks to bring in a fast and creative winger in the January transfer window to assist his title challenge. The Algerian has made 11 starts for Porto in the league and in Europe this season, scoring two goals in the process.

Portuguese publication Record states that the winger has a release clause of €60m (£42.4m, $64.5m) and is the kind of player who will seamlessly fit the bill at Old Trafford. The Red Devils have sent scouts to watch the player in his last game and will now decide whether to make an official bid, while taking into consideration the other options they have at their disposal.

He can also play in attacking midfield, a position which can need some replenishment in the upcoming transfer window, with the Red Devils having failed to effectively bring in a replacement for Angel di Maria. The 25-year-old was born in France, but decided to shift his allegiance to Algeria, with whom he has played the 2014 FIFA World Cup and the 2015 African Cup of Nations.

United currently have Ashley Young and Memphis Depay as their primary wingers, with Anthony Martial also capable of playing in that position. However, Depay's lack of form has relegated him to the bench, while Young has primarily been used as a full-back this season to compensate for the loss of Luke Shaw.

Meanwhile, Ander Herrera has backed Van Gaal to take United to greater heights this season, stating that the manager can be a bit harsh at times, but his every action is towards the betterment of the club. The Dutchman has taken his side to the top of the league this season, albeit for a brief period, but his recent results suggest that the Red Devils are in for the long haul.

"He's a very demanding person, very forward and very sincere, which I value a lot," Herrera told Catalunya Radio, as quoted by Sky Sports. "To [the press], he might seem a bit tough, but I think he's a good guy and I think he wants what's best for the club. On a personal level, I have a very good relationship with him. I know he can look tough from outside the club, but from within, he's the right guy to help us improve."