Manchester United are being linked with Nuraly Alip but the Zenit St Petersburg defender's agents insist that there are no discussions with the Premier League giants at this stage.
Now, it's probably safe to assume that Nuraly Alip is not exactly a household name in Salford.
Whether or not that changes, however, largely depends on the validity of the rumours linking Zenit St Petersburg's 23-year-old centre-back with a shock move to Old Trafford.
According to El, a publication based in Alip's homeland of Kazakhstan, Manchester United scouted Alip during Monday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Slovenia. A game in which another rumoured transfer target - RB Leipzig striker Benjamin Sesko - found the net.
That could change, however. The January window is edging closer, and a new centre-half high on Erik ten Hag's post-Christmas wishlist.
"Nobody contacted the agency," Sport Express quotes. "The player belongs to Zenit and is currently focused on helping the club win the championship."
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Starting 10 of Zenit's last 11 Russian Premier League games, Alip is certainly playing his part. Fenerbahce reportedly showed an interest over the summer, when Zenit valued the former FC Kairat stopper at around PS4 million. Considering the size and the financial muscle of the clubs now sniffing around Alip, do not be surprised if his price-tag skyrockets over the coming months.
Alip, per El, 'played brilliantly' in that 2-1 defeat to Slovenia. A performance which will have done his hopes of a life-changing switch to Manchester United no harm at all, Alip seeminglu joining Goncalo Inacio, Giorgio Scalvini, Marc Guehi and co on the Red Devils' radar.
Erik ten Hag needs defenders "He is progressing. He has become a level stronger, and gained muscle mass," Kazakhstan coach Magomad Adiev tells RB Sport, Alip making big steps forward with regards to his passing into midfield.
An attribute which is almost indispensable to a defender in a Ten Hag team. Raphael Varane is finding that out the hard way.
"His first pass, to start of the attack, has become noticeably better," Adiev adds. "Compared to last year, he has improved a lot."