IMAGO Manchester United's pursuit of Girona left-back Miguel Gutierrez has gained momentum, FootballTransfers can reveal, with Real Madrid now looking closer to securing a deal for Bayern Munich's Alphonso Davies.

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Gutierrez has emerged as one of the standout left-backs in La Liga since leaving Madrid and we are told United's chances of landing Gutierrez have significantly increased, with Ineos making him a key target as they look to bolster their left-back options.

At 23-year-old has established himself as a top talent after departing Real Madrid in search of regular playing time. Sources have told us that United have now made him their top transfer target. The club will decide whether to make a play for the Spanish defender in the January window or wait until the summer.

Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia have been sidelined for extended periods, though the former was seen back in training today.

Erik ten Hag has stressed the importance of carefully managing their returns to avoid further setback and sources indicate that United's recruitment team is closely monitoring potential replacements for Shaw and Malacia, with Gutierrez at the top of the list.

The club's interest in the Spaniard is further fueled by Real Madrid's focus on Davies, which would leave the door open for United to strike a deal for Gutierrez. The Spanish giants have a buyback clause for the defender, allowing them to re-sign him for EUR8-9 million in 2024 or 2025.

Additionally, Real Madrid posses the right of first refusal, meaning they can match any offer made by another club. To complicate matters further, the La Liga powerhouse retains a 50% sell-on clause, ensuring they would benefit financially from any potential sale.

IMAGO - Luke Shaw Gutierrez's release clause Gutierrez currently has a release clause of EUR35m in his contract with Girona, which runs until 2027. The former Real Madrid academy product left the Bernabeu in 2022 in search of first-team opportunities, signing a five-year deal with Girona.

Despite Real Madrid's ties to his future, Manchester United are confident that the door is open for them to secure the talented left-back in the upcoming transfer windows.