Manchester United have big plans ahead of the January transfer window, but it looks unlikely to involve Antoine Semenyo.
Heading toward January, there is a feeling that Manchester United are going to need some level of reinforcements in midfield.
There has been a heavy over-reliance on Casemiro, which is unsustainable, with a reluctance to trust Kobbie Mainoo to play meaningful minutes.
Therefore, United have been linked with countless midfielders, and while next summer is when we expect major movement in the position, there is a hope of business being done in January.
Angelo Stiller taking a corner kick against FC Basel 1893
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Manchester United planning to spend big on a midfielder instead of Antoine Semenyo
Over the past few weeks, Antoine Semenyo has been linked with United, seen as a potential solution to the growing left-wing-back pains at United.
But this isn’t a deal the club are looking to do.
Fabrizio Romano has spoken on his YouTube channel to explain what he has now heard about United’s transfer plans.
“Manchester United, at this stage, are not in active talks for Antoine Semenyo because their focus is on investing big money in different positions, like the midfield. They like Semenyo, Amorim likes Semenyo for sure, but their target is in a different position.”
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To reinforce this, Mark Ogden has claimed on the ESPN FC podcast that the United hierarchy are hoping to unlock funds in January to spend on the midfield, with Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Angelo Stiller all named as being potential targets.
However, in January, it is expected that only Stiller will be affordable and realistic. This is because United could sign Stiller for £35m, which is his release clause value.
Signing Stiller in January would be perfect for United, but it wouldn’t be the endpoint of the midfield overhaul.
Manchester United willing to break records on midfield in 2026
United will probably need to sign more than just one midfielder in 2026, and Stiller would be the perfect ‘cheaper’ option to sign this coming January.
Following that, in the summer, United could do the marquee ‘big money’ signing that Ineos are plotting.
TalkSPORT added to this, claiming that United’s planned overhaul of the midfield is expected to see the club break its own transfer record on one of Anderson, Baleba or Wharton.
This would be a welcome decision by United and a long overdue investment in a problem position which hasn’t been perfect in years.