The £61.5m transfer battle Manchester United should think twice about involving themselves inplaceholder image
The £61.5m transfer battle Manchester United should think twice about involving themselves in | Getty Images
Mick Brown has named Man United’s ‘top targets’ ahead of the January transfer window
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown has discussed his old club’s ‘top transfer targets’ ahead of the January window.
The Red Devils are eager to further bolster their squad with new signings, while existing players could be set to leave Old Trafford in dramatic exits.
United are on the market for exciting new attacking players and strong additions to the midfield. Reports have been doing the rounds suggesting their leading targets in the middle of the park include Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace, Carlos Baleba of Brighton, and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson.
Mick Brown on ‘top targets’ for Man United in January
Speaking to Football Insider, Brown has named United’s ‘top targets’ for the January window, but he holds doubt over whether they will get the deals over the line in the same window.
“Semenyo is the one they’ve been looking at,” Brown said. “United need to spend in January to improve the squad, and he’s somebody they wanted to bring in during the summer before he signed that contract.
“You’re looking at people like Semenyo and Elliot Anderson to come in, they’re the top targets for Amorim because both of them would be real improvements in key areas of the squad.
“They’d plug gaps where there might otherwise be problems, add energy and drive to the team, and help United take steps towards being successful again.
“They would need to spend something like £170 million on those two players to turn them into a team who can compete for silverware and at the top level.
“Personally, I can’t see that happening, but they are interested in signing both of them and if it can be done in January, then perhaps they will.”
Nottingham Forest plan to ramp up Elliot Anderson asking price
Another Football Insider report has claimed that Nottingham Forest aren’t willing to let Anderson go easy next year. In fact, the East Midlands side are plotting to raise their asking price for the midfielder in attempt to throw any interested rivals off the scent.
This update comes following reports of interest from both Man United and Man City. The report claims that there is ‘no chance’ either Manchester club will be able to convince Forest to sell until at least the summer, and even then, it’s going to prove a tough deal to finalise.
The East Midlands side reportedly value Anderson at £100 million but they are ‘prepared to raise’ that figure even further amid the intense interest being shown in him. Should he be selected to represent England at the World Cup, Forest will also look to ramp up his transfer fee, which could well see him become of the most expensive British signings, should a club reach an agreement with Forest.
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