Manchester United will be busy in the January transfer window with incomings and outgoings expected including a new midfielder and the possibility of Joshua Zirkzee departing
The January transfer window opens this week and Manchester United will be assessing all options to improve Ruben Amorim’s team. Unlike this time last year, United are sitting high in the Premier League and aren’t desperate for reinforcements on a big scale.
Beating Newcastle United on Boxing Day and the subsequent results around them mean Ruben Amorim’s men are sixth, level on points with Chelsea in fifth and just three behind Liverpool in the top four.
On Tuesday, they welcome Wolves to Old Trafford, looking to keep their hunt for Champions League football alive. But before then, transfer talk is gathering pace quickly. Bruno Fernandes’ injury means United are expected to make a move for a new midfielder next month.
Plenty of names have been mentioned as potential targets. However, with the prospect of players departing, United could be busy in other areas. So with that in mind, The Manchester Evening News brings you some of the latest headlines…
Striker eyed to sanction exit
Joshua Zirkzee is a wanted man, with a return to Italy heavily tipped. According to reports, AS Roma are keen to bring him back to Serie A, but face difficulty in tempting United with a move.
La Gazzetta dello Sport have claimed that the striker has held positive discussions with Roma. However, United are only expected to let him leave should they bring in a replacement. Step forward, Lassine Sinayoko.
The Auxerre striker has caught the eye of football scouts with two goals in Mali’s opening two AFCON games, and according to AfricaFoot, United have held discussions with his entourage over a potential move. His contract in France expires in the summer, meaning he could be available on a pre-contract or at a low price.
MEN Sport says: “Sinayoko isn’t a name that many would be familiar with. A striker in France, and not one of the big clubs, isn’t going to be one fans would see coming, but if Zirkzee is to leave, signing a striker who will be willing to play behind Benjamin Sesko would be smart business.
“He has bagged six times in France this season, and his heroics for his country this month have put eyes on him. Zirkzee hasn’t impressed massively under Amorim and with the World Cup around the corner, a move seems certain for him.”
Galatasaray’s Ugarte plan
Galatasaray are one of the teams paying close interest to Manuel Ugarte’s situation at United. According to reports in Turkey, the Turkish giants are putting plans in place ahead of January with a move eyed.
Despite interest from Lyon and Napoli, it is claimed that Galatasaray are set to send a package to United, which would see the midfielder join the club on loan for the remainder of the season before he moves permanently for €25million (£21.7m) in the summer.
The report also adds that Ugarte’s Uruguay teammates, Fernando Muslera and Lucas Torreira, could be key in making a move happen.
MEN Sport says: “United’s priority in January has to be a midfielder, so allowing Ugarte to leave would mean they would have to replace him. And while the move from Galatasaray is only a loan, it would guarantee them a fee in the summer.
“There are different ways to look at this from United’s point of view, and the best-case scenario for them is to bank the cash and prioritise their incomings. For example, they could use the money to sign Ruben Neves at the reported £15million fee he’s available for.
“Better yet, the sale of Ugarte in the summer and removal of Casemiro’s wages, should he depart on a free, could open up room in the kitty to spend big at the end of the season.”
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