Manchester United are exploring potential deals in the January transfer window, but one rival club is set to void two transfers for Michael Carrick’s side before the deadline.
Manchester United are reportedly targeting Mohamed Kader Meite (Image: Photo by DAMIEN MEYER/AFP via Getty Images)
Manchester United are expected to lose two transfer targets to Saudi Arabia’s Al Hilal. United remained quiet in the January transfer window, with the club preferring to wait until the summer to make a move when a new long-term manager has been appointed, an approach that has seen two players taken off the market.
United spent £200m on changes up front over the summer, bringing in Brian Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesco and Matheus Cunha. However, the sacking of Ruben Amorim earlier this month, and the positive impact Michael Carrick has had, has left club executives with more time to deal with business.
The Red Devils will next want to revamp their midfield, but will likely wait until the summer transfer window when there will be some clarity on the identity of their next long-term manager. The decision to continue shooting resulted in the same club capturing two potential targets.
The Guardian reports that United are one of the European clubs interested in Rennes striker Kader Meite. They have also contacted the 18-year-old’s agent to explore the possibility of a transfer.
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However, all those efforts went in vain as Al Hilal pounced on the young talent. After Rennes rejected a €23m (£19.9m) offer last month, L’Equipe reported that Al Hilal had signed Meite, who has featured in 19 games this season, scoring three goals and providing two assists, for €30m (£26m) plus €3m in bonuses.
The move is significant given that clubs in the Saudi Professional League have generally tended to target high-profile players nearing the end of their careers. However, there have been changes within the league, with clubs now looking to sign young, up-and-coming stars who can maintain or even increase their value.
There was more bad news for United from Al Hilal, with manager Fabrizio Romano saying the club are now in the final stages of agreeing a new deal with Ruben Neves. The midfielder has been linked with a move to United this month as his current contract expires at the end of the season.
Ruben Neves has been linked with a move to Manchester United (Image: (Photo by Jose Manuel Alvarez Rey/Getty Images))
The 28-year-old midfielder joined Al Hilal from Wolves in 2023 and has made 113 appearances for the club, scoring 17 goals and providing 30 assists. There has been some interest in him, with Real Madrid also said to be considering a deal, but it now appears the Portugal international will remain in Saudi Arabia.
With Neves off the market, United have shortlisted Brighton’s Carlos Baleva, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson as targets this summer, with Casemiro leaving the club at the end of the season.
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