Two Man Utd transfer targets set to complete deals ahead of January deadline
Manchester United have been exploring possible deals in the January transfer window, but one rival club is set to scupper two moves for Michael Carrick’s side before the deadline
Manchester United are poised to miss out on two transfer targets to Saudi Arabian side Al-Hilal. United have been quiet in the January transfer window, with the club preferring to wait until the summer, when a new long-term manager will be appointed, to move – and their approach has seen two players taken off the market.
United spent £200million to change their front line over the summer, with Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha arriving. But the dismissal of Ruben Amorim earlier this month – and the positive impact made by Michael Carrick – has prompted the club’s hierarchy to bide their time on further business.
The Red Devils want to overhaul their midfield next but will wait until the summer transfer window, when there will be some clarity over the identity of the next long-term manager. That decision to hold fire has seen two potential targets snapped up by the same club.
The Guardian have reported that United are among the European clubs interested in Rennes striker Kader Meite. They even contacted the 18-year-old’s representatives to explore a possible move.
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But those efforts have all been in vain, with Al-Hilal swooping for the young talent. After seeing their €23million (£19.9m) offer rejected by Rennes earlier month, L’Equipe reports that Al-Hilal have now struck a deal for €30m (£26m) plus €3m (£2.6m) in bonuses for Meite, who has three goals and two assists in 19 appearances this season.
The move is a significant one, given Saudi Pro League clubs have generally tended to target high-profile players coming towards the end of their careers previously. But there has been a shift inside the league, with clubs now trying to recruit younger up-and-coming stars who will retain, or increase, their value.
There is more bad news from Al-Hilal for United, too, with Fabrizio Romano saying that the club are now in the final stages of agreeing a new contract for Ruben Neves. The midfielder has been linked with a move to United this month due to the fact that his current contract is set to expire at the end of the season.
The 28-year-old midfielder joined Al-Hilal from Wolves in 2023 and has 17 goals and 30 assists in 113 games for the club. He has attracted some interest, with Real Madrid also said to be exploring a deal, but it now appears as though the Portugal international will stay in Saudi Arabia.
With Neves about to be off the market, United have shortlisted Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as targets for the summer, with Casemiro leaving the club at the end of the season.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £336 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
