All the latest Red Devils transfer news, rumours, quotes, gossip and done deals for the January 2020 transfer window
Manchester United remain a potent force in the transfer market, despite their on-pitch struggles in the Premier League and in Europe over the course of the past few seasons.
However, while the Red Devils have been able to bring high-profile stars to Old Trafford for considerable fees, things haven’t exactly worked out on that front either.
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hinted that he needs more midfield additions to his squad, but it could be argued that the defence and attack have been lacking, so there is work to be done in the market.
Goal will keep you on top of all the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip regarding Manchester United’s targets right here with regular updates.
Contents
- Top Man Utd transfer targets
- Latest Man Utd transfer news & rumours
- Potential Man Utd exits
- Confirmed Utd transfers
Top Manchester United transfer targets
The Red Devils have lined up Wolves striker Raul Jimenez as they look to address their woes in front of goal and propel themselves into the mix for a Champions League finish in the Premier League.
Allowing Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez to depart Old Trafford for Inter during the summer raised plenty of eyebrows, but it was apparent that Solskjaer was confident in the abilities of his remaining forwards.
However, while Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford have tremendous chemistry, the squad is quite lightweight when it comes to attacking options. Indeed, there is no recognised out-and-out centre-forward.
Having missed out on Erling Braut Haaland and Mario Mandzukic, Jimenez has emerged as the priority target.
Another Wolves player who is on Manchester United’s radar is 22-year-old midfielder Ruben Neves and the club are certainly keen to bring in reinforcements in that area, be it in January or the summer.
However, while he has been linked with the Red Devils in the past, it is understood that Neves is not overly excited by the prospect of a move to Old Trafford, so a blockbuster offer could be required.
Neves’ compatriot Bruno Fernandes is also a key target for United, as the club embark on a scouting campaign of Portugal in search of new recruits.
The Sporting playmaker had been touted for a move to the Premier League with Tottenham during the summer, but signed a new contract instead in November, pushing his release clause up to €100 million (£85m/$111m).
Solskjaer has also admitted that Man Utd will “pounce” at the right time for the player, in light of fresh developments of advanced discussions with Sporting CP.
Manchester United are believed to be among a number of clubs monitoring the availability of Dinamo Zagreb forward Dani Olmo, but they have fallen behind Barcelona and Chelsea in the hunt.
Other stars to have been heavily linked include Christian Eriksen and James Maddison, though neither appears likely – certainly not in January.
There had been speculation that Gedson Fernandes would join Manchester United, but the Benfica midfielder joined Tottenham on loan instead.
Latest Manchester United transfer news & rumours
Fernandes deserves Premier League move, says Sporting boss
Sporting manager Silas believes Bruno Fernandes is one of the best midfielders around and says he deserves to play in the Premier League.
“He’s a player who wants to play in a league superior to ours. What player wouldn’t want to play in the English league? It’s hard to tell him: ‘don’t go’,” said Silas.
“Bruno deserves to play in those kind of leagues and the best is that one. If he is one of the best he has to be there.”
Man Utd close to director of football appointment
Lille‘s Luis Campos is close to becoming Manchester United’s new director of football, according to The Sun.
After an 18 month search, Ed Woodward is considering appointing Campos, who previously worked at Monaco.
‘Man Utd need creativity, not £85m Koulibaly’
Manchester United are unlikely to join the race for £85 million ($111m) Napoli centre-half Kalidou Koulibaly, claims Andy Cole, with the Red Devils needing to prioritise creativity over another big-money defender.
“I would be surprised £85m or £90m on another centre-half when you’ve spent £80m on one centre half but nothing says he’s going to be better than what you’ve already got,” Cole told The United Stand.
Red Devils worried Fernandes purchase would impact Sancho, Maddison moves
The Express report that the potentially significant cost of purchasing Fernandes could prevent Man Utd from having available funds to pay for the likes of Jadon Sancho and James Maddison.
The Old Trafford side still view the reported fee for the Sporting midfielder as too high – while the prices of both Sancho and Maddison could also potentially rise.
Man Utd could walk away from Fernandes deal
According to ESPN, the Red Devils could bow out of the deal should the Portugal club not lower their asking price.
Sporting are currently demanding €80m (£68m/$89m) for the midfielder, but Man Utd are reluctant to spend such a fee in January.
Potential Manchester United exits
The most obvious potential departee from Manchester United is Paul Pogba and his future at the club has been thrown into severe doubt following pronouncements by his agent Mino Raiola.
“Today I wouldn’t bring anyone else [to Manchester United],” Raiola said in an explosive interview with La Repubblica in January.
“They would ruin even [Diego] Maradona, Pele and [Paolo] Maldini. Paul needs a team and a society, one like at Juve before.”
Solskjaer is adamant that the World Cup winner won’t be leaving in January, but it would seem that it’s now just a matter of when and not if.
Nemanja Matic appears resigned to leaving United and the midfielder’s contract is running down, something he conceded means he must assess his options.
Atletico Madrid have been rumoured as a potential destination, while Inter boss Antonio Conte is reportedly interested in the former Chelsea midfielder.
Joining Matic through the exit doors could be defensive duo Marcos Rojo and Phil Jones, while Eric Bailly’s stock has also diminished.
Confirmed Manchester United January window transfers
Man Utd signings
| Player | Signed from | Fee |
|---|---|---|
| – | – | – |
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