Transfer notebook: Manchester City target Brazil full-back Abner Vinicius

Manchester City are looking at Brazil full-back Abner Vinícius as they step up their search for a long-term left-back.

Abner, 21, won Olympic gold in Tokyo over the summer and has been watched by City’s scouts in South America while playing for Athletico Paranaense, the former club of Fernandinho.

City are assessing options at left-back, with Oleksandr Zinchenko the only orthodox left-back available for Pep Guardiola and Joao Cancelo often switching flanks and playing as an inverted full-back.

Abner joined Paranaense three seasons ago and has been tipped to move to Europe and follow in the footsteps of his former team-mate Renan Lodi, who is at Atletico Madrid in Spain.

While Fernandinho arrived at the Etihad Stadium via Shakhtar Donetsk, City have previously recruited directly from Brazil when signing Gabriel Jesus from Palmeiras and Douglas Luiz from Vasco da Gama, who is now at Aston Villa.

West Ham maintain interest in Barbosa

Gabriel Barbosa at Flamengo is another Brazilian who has attracted interest from European clubs.

West Ham have enquired about his availability and is one of many options they are investigating as they attempt to strengthen David Moyes' squad for the rest of the season.

They are looking for the best value for money in the January market following the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Swansea linked with move for Brittain

Barnsley full-back Callum Brittain has attracted interest from Championship clubs in his second season at Oakwell.

Swansea City are considering the 23 year-old, who is also on the radar of Stoke City and Blackburn Rovers.

Several clubs in the second tier, including Nottingham Forest, have also sent scouts to watch Brendan Wiredu at Colchester.

Wolves keeping tabs on Couto

Oldham’s Benny Couto has broken into the first team and has been watched by Wolves.

His club would like him back on loan if any deal is struck to take him to the Premier League. Leeds have also had him on their radar.