Manchester United are expecting a quiet January transfer window but deals cannot be ruled out with the club ready to pounce if the right one becomes available to them
Manchester United could take advantage of ‘market opportunities’ in the January transfer window, but are unlikely to land their long-term midfield targets. It has been said that Ruben Amorim will be more likely to turn to the club’s academy and wait until the summer to splash the cash on a new central midfielder.
But the Portuguese boss has already hinted that the Africa Cup of Nations could spark a small foray into the market. United will be without Bryan Mbeumo, Amad and Noussair Mazraoui for a period over the winter.
“Of course, we are going to have a problem there [with AFCON],” Amorim said. “But we already knew. Then you can prepare that in the summer, but then you have a lot of players in the summer who are not going to play because it’s one game per week. So the management of that situation is going to be hard.
“But let’s see when the window is open, if we can improve the team and try to prepare something that happened. Until then, we have to take the chance.”
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And United could yet keep their eyes on four opportunities in particular, according to Mail Online. Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba are unlikely to be available but a ‘low-cost’ move for Wolves star Joao Gomes could be considered.
United will also keep an eye on Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, despite Liverpool being favourites for his signature. Semenyo has a release clause that stands at £60million plus £5m in add-ons, which becomes active in the January transfer window.
Marc Guehi could be another opportunity United consider, even if Liverpool remain favourites for his signature after a £35m deadline day move collapsed. The defender will enter the final six months of his Crystal Palace contract in January, and the Red Devils could be interested in a central defender, given the limited progress in extending Harry Maguire’s deal, which also expires in the summer.
It has also not been ruled out that United could bring forward a summer deal to January if a chance arises. Yet the report states that midfielder Baleba remains their ‘top target’.
United made a late move for the star over the summer but could not tempt Brighton into a deal with a fee in excess of £100m said to be required to bring his services to Old Trafford.
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