Manchester United have been linked with several players ahead of the January transfer window.placeholder image
Manchester United have been linked with several players ahead of the January transfer window. | Getty Images
Manchester United could be one of the most active Premier League clubs in the January transfer window
With the January transfer window beginning to come closer into view, early rumours have begun to flood the Premier League - and as ever, one club tends to be at the centre of many of them.
Things are finally beginning to look up at Manchester United in recent weeks, with a stunning victory at Anfield easing the pressure on Ruben Amorim. It had previously appeared as though the Portuguese’s time was running out, but Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s claims that Amorim needs three years to build his Old Trafford project now looks to have a little more logic behind it.
Despite this upturn in form, United’s need for new signings in January has not lessened. Except now, it is less from a place of desperation, more of an attempt to take advantage of their current momentum and mount a serious challenge for Europe this campaign. As ever, many top players from around Europe have been linked with a move to Old Trafford.
Midfield targets will dominate Man United’s January transfer links
The midfield area remains one of primary concern for Amorim, plainly evidenced by the near-constant stream of midfielders being linked with a move to Old Trafford in recent weeks. With the ageing duo of Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes continuing to start, neither of whom are particularly suited to the double-pivot role, a younger and more dynamic partner for Fernandes is believed to be the club’s top transfer priority.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, by all accounts, is a dream target. The 22-year-old has seen a rapid rise to prominence this season after his introduction into Thomas Tuchel’s England squad, and he has quickly turned from being a promising player for the future to being a young man primed for a big-money move. United will do all they can to get to the front of the queue, though a move for Anderson may cost at least £75 million. According to the Telegraph, this figure could even reach £100m.
Anderson is not the only young England midfielder linked with Old Trafford, as Adam Wharton also remains a target for United and several of Europe’s biggest clubs. While it is unlikely that Crystal Palace sanction a January exit for the 21-year-old if their strong start to the season continues, their hand could be forced if an earth-shattering bid were to arrive.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba was the Red Devils’ top midfield target back in August but with the Seagulls reportedly demanding an £115m fee, rumours died down and a January move appears unlikely. The Cameroon international has made a slow start to the new season and his manager Fabian Hurzeler has suggested the young man may have had his head turned by the proposed move, indicating he may still have some developing to do at the Amex before he is ready to take the next step.
Other midfield targets have emerged in recent days, from Atletico Madrid’s former Chelsea man Conor Gallagher on loan to Bayern Munich’s young midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic, who could command a huge €80m fee. Links also persist with Sporting CP midfielder Morten Hjulmand, who starred under Amorim for the Portuguese champions. Jobe Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund and Chelsea’s Andrey Santos have also emerged as surprise Red Devils midfield options.
Stunning Robert Lewandowski to United deal reported to be off
United are reportedly not set to sign Robert Lewandowski, though, as co-owner Ratcliffe has ‘blocked’ a move for the 37-year-old Barcelona star according to the Mirror. The Red Devils had been linked with a sensational move for the Polish legend, who may have been available for just £10m in January - but Ratcliffe reportedly wants to avoid mistakes of the past when signing players past their prime. While this could end up being a wise choice, it would have been great to see Lewandowski in the Premier League, nevertheless.
The Barca man is not the only striker who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, as Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic has also been linked with a move ahead of the expiry of his contract next summer. If the player appears keen to seal an exit, Juve would be smart to sanction a cut-price January sale so to avoid losing the 25-year-old for nothing. With Rasmus Hojlund set to depart permanently and Joshua Zirkzee also reportedly determined for an exit in search of more minutes, the Red Devils could do with another option in attacking areas to take the load off Benjamin Sesko and false-nine options such as Matheus Cunha.
Another defensive option could still be on the cards, too - Aston Villa’s Ezri Konsa has been linked with a host of top clubs including United, while Bayern’s Dayot Upamecano is out of contract next summer and is free to negotiate with clubs outside Germany from January 1.
As the transfer links continue to flood in, it would be a mystery if United were not to complete some major transfer business in January. It could prove to be a decisive month which may elevate the Amorim era to new heights.
Continue Reading