Manchester United are hoping for a quiet January transfer window, but a deal cannot be ruled out with the club ready to pounce if the right window comes along.
Manchester United may take advantage of a ‘market opportunity’ in the January transfer window, but are unlikely to achieve their long-term midfield goals. Ruben Amorim has set his sights on the club’s academy and is said to be likely to wait until the summer before spending big on a new central midfielder.
But Portugal’s coach has already hinted that the African Cup of Nations could be the catalyst for a small foray into the market. United will be without Brian Mbeumo, Amad and Nousair Mazraoui for the winter.
“Of course there will be problems there (with AFCON),” Amorim said. “But we already knew. We can prepare for it in the summer, but it’s one game a week, so there are a lot of players who won’t play in the summer. So it’s going to be difficult to manage that situation.”
“But let’s see if we can improve the team and prepare for what happened when the window opens. Until then, we have to take our chances.”
read more: Manchester United face clear Joao Gomez issue as January transfer plans emergeread more: Manchester United receive clear message on Elliott Anderson transfer stance, price set at £100m
And, according to the Mail Online, United could still be keeping an eye on four opportunities in particular. Elliott Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleva are unlikely to be available, but a “low-cost” move for Wolves star Joao Gomez could be considered.
Despite Liverpool being favorites to sign him, United are also keeping an eye on Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo. Semenyo has a release clause of £60m plus £5m, which will take effect in the January transfer window.
United could have another chance to consider Marc Guehi, even if Liverpool remain favorites to sign him after his £35m deadline-day transfer fell through. The defender enters the final six months of his contract with Crystal Palace in January, but with limited progress on extending Harry Maguire’s contract, which also expires in the summer, the Red Devils could be interested in the central defender.
It has also not been ruled out that United could bring forward his summer signing to January if the opportunity arises. However, the paper said midfielder Baleva remains a “top target”.
United fell behind on signing the star over the summer, but were unable to tempt Brighton to sign him for a fee in excess of the £100m reportedly required for him to flourish at Old Trafford.
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