Manchester United are being linked with two gifted midfielders, while Reading boss Brian McDermott ruled out the possibility of a loan deal for forward Danny Welbeck.
The fact that United need a good controlling midfielder in the center of the park is undoubted, with the English Premier League leaders reportedly keeping tabs on the likes of Kevin Strootman of PSV and Sven Bender of Borussia Dortmund.
However, the Red Devils are now being linked with Real Betis' deep-lying playmaker Benat Extebarria and Axel Witsel of Zenit St Petersburg.
Neither of them are your usual defensive screening midfielders, although Benat is good at reading the game and cutting out danger.
The Real Betis man has been one of the standout players in La Liga this season, with the 25-year-old having a €20 million (£16.2 million, $26 million) buyout clause in his contract.
The midfielder, who contract expires in 2014, is expected to leave Betis in the summer, but if United were to make a move in January and match the release clause, the Spanish club might be forced to sell.
Benat, who has also been linked with moves to Chelsea and Manchester City, has been firmly on Sir Alex Ferguson's sights for quite a while now, with the manager ready to make a move, according to Corielle dello Sport.
Another player who could be on his way to Old Trafford is Witsel, with the Belgian disillusioned with life in Russia.
Witsel made a big-money move to Zenit in the summer, but has found it hard to not only replicate his form shown at Benfica, but also adapt to life in the country, with the Belgian miffed with the recent letter sent out by Zenit's supporters asking the club to refrain from signing black players.
Manchester United are ready to take advantage of the situation by putting in a bid for the talented playmaker in the summer, according to Fanatix.
Meanwhile, McDermott has completely shot down the chances of United striker Welbeck joining the relegation-threatened club on loan until the end of the season.
"I can't see Sir Alex Ferguson sending Danny out to any club," McDermott said. "I don't know where this has came from, it's got nothing to do with me.
"Welbeck's a great player and I'm sure Sir Alex Ferguson thinks he's a great player too. Everyone in the country thinks that."