Michael Carrick has made a bright start to life as Man United head coach.placeholder image
Michael Carrick has made a bright start to life as Man United head coach. | AFP via Getty Images
Manchester United are still in the market for new additions this January transfer window
Manchester United may still be active in the final weeks of this January transfer window as Michael Carrick’s side look to launch an assault on the top four this season.
The former Middlesbrough boss arrived as new Red Devils head coach following the sacking of Ruben Amorim earlier this month and made the perfect start to life in the dugout as local rivals Manchester City were swept aside in a dominant 2-0 derby day performance at Old Trafford.
Yan Diomande to Man Utd latest as RB Leipzig ‘adamant’ claim emerges
According to reports as part of The Athletic’s latest Transfer DealSheet, Man United will face a challenge in signing RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande this month as the Bundesliga club have insisted the Ivorian is not for sale and have slapped a huge €100million (£87m) price tag on his head.
Reporting continues that United are one of the clubs interested in Diomande, in addition to Tottenham Hotspur. The winger burst onto the scene with 10 goals for club and country so far this season, including a hat-trick against Eintracht Frankfurt in December and a goal against Burkina Faso while competing in his first AFCON for the Ivory Coast earlier this month.
Leipzig stance on Diomande exit revealed
Red Bull managing director Oliver Mintzlaff is said to be ‘adamant’ that the 19-year-old Ivorian will remain in Germany.
Mintzlaff said of Diomande: “With such a young player that we just signed [from Spain’s Leganes last July], you can’t give him away after just one year. In recent years, RB Leipzig has worked out that even top players can certainly stay longer. As chairman of the supervisory board, I would say that he will still be there next season, even if an offer of €80million or €90m comes.”
Several Premier League clubs including United, Spurs, Liverpool and Arsenal have all been linked with Diomande in recent weeks and there may ultimately be a battle for his signature next summer, as has been predicted by transfer guru Fabrizio Romano. While a move this month appears unlikely at this stage, Leipzig are known to be strong sellers and are likely to stick by their word in demanding a premium price if they are to sell the teenager, should he continue on his current trajectory.
The Red Devils currently boast the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo, Matheus Cunha and former Leipzig star Benjamin Sesko as attacking options but may step up their pursuit of Diomande if the right market opportunity presents itself. Central midfield is believed to be another position of concern and transfer moves are expected either in January or next summer.
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