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| Bruno Fernandes |
With the
January transfer window moving swiftly to the final few days, Manchester United are yet to make a signing,
despite being linked to a host of players so far. The Red Devils have already
allowed Ashley Young to move to Inter Milan, but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has not managed to
make squad additions so far, which has put the club in a spot of bother.
Traditionally,
United have refrained from spending lavishly in the month of January. However,
the Red Devils have signed some big names in January in recent times. Juan Mata and Alexis Sanchez arrived in the winter transfer window in recent
years, but the recruitment of Patrice
Evra and Nemanja Vidic in 2006 continues
to be the best bit of business done in January.
It is clear
that transfer deals completed in January have an inherent risk associated with them.
However, United’s current scenario demands at least a couple of high profile
arrivals this month. A midfielder has been missing since the summer, while Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay’s injury has only worsened the situation. Marcus Rashford’s injury probably was
the last straw to break the camel’s back at Old Trafford.
Despite
United’s surprisingly poor performance in the transfer window so far, there are
still quite a few names who have been strongly linked with the Red Devils so
far. Today, we take a look at the top 5 players Manchester United are currently linked with and also assess their
chances of arriving at Old Trafford
before the closure of the winter transfer window.
Bruno Fernandes
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| Bruno Fernandes |
The first name in this list is also the one who has created
the most buzz among fans. Sporting
Lisbon’s charismatic midfielder Bruno
Fernandes had drawn attention from Manchester
United in the summer, however, the club refrained from making the final
move for the player in the end. That decision backfired as the season
progressed and United are now back to rectify their mistake. However, a deal has
proven increasingly difficult to materialize.
Despite the interest of both clubs as well as the player to
complete the move, there are quite a few constraints to the completion of the
deal. For starters, the two clubs do not agree with each other’s valuation of
the player. The mode of payment and the add-ons demanded also created a bit of
complexity. Negotiations are still on as we approach the last 10 days of the
month.
What he would bring to United:
Fernandes is a creative midfielder with an eye for the goal. In the
Manchester United team, he would
operate in the No. 10 position and would be the creative influx that could make
the fast and furious frontline click regularly.
What the papers say:
It
has previously been revealed in FMD that the
Portuguese has agreed to personal terms with Manchester United. The latest
reports say that the clubs are inching closer to a possible agreement, with a
few minute details still to be negotiated. Expect this to drag on until the
last week of the month.
Chances of his arrival:
Moderately high. If United fail to secure his signature before the
transfer window closes, it would paint a poor picture of the club’s recruitment
team.
Boubakary Soumare
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| Boubakary Soumare |
Another young midfielder who has been heavily linked with a move
to the Premier League, Boubakary Soumare has the option to
choose from either Frank Lampard’s Chelsea or Solskjaer’s Manchester United. Such is his
proficiency on the field that he had attracted attention from Arsenal and Real Madrid too, but neither of those two clubs is involved in the
race for his signature at the moment.
The Frenchman has impressed with his performance with Lille this season and could
effortlessly slot into the Manchester
United team. There were reports that the Red Devils are set to choose
between him and Bruno Fernandes, but
the Frenchman is quite different from the Portuguese on the pitch.
What he would bring to United:
Soumare is a box to box midfielder who likes to operate from the
deep and can both tackle and set up passes for the front men. He might not have
the creative genius of Pogba yet, but Soumare is a superb passer of the ball
and a midfield enforcer who would immediately improve this United side. He is
also only 20 years old, which means that he has his entire career ahead of him
and will only improve.
What the papers say:
Sadly,
the Frenchman has clarified that he wants to stay with the Ligue 1 side for the
rest of the season. He revealed to L’Equipe that he was happy with Lille
and had no intention of leaving at the moment.
Chances of his arrival:
Very Low at the moment. Manchester
United could revive their interest in the player in summer, but as of now,
Soumare has very little chance of arriving at Old Trafford in January.
Moussa Dembele
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| Moussa Dembele |
Moussa Dembele
has his suitors in the Premier League
at the moment and Manchester United
are not the only club tracking him. Chelsea
remain interested in the player and there are even rumors that the Blues have a
bid rejected by Lyon. The Red Devils
had tracked him from some time, but the injury to Marcus Rashford has hastened their pursuit.
The Frenchman has already scored 13 times from 28
appearances this season and could be an able backup for the injured Rashford. But
even with the Englishman fit and raring to go, Dembele would be a stellar
addition to this United side.
What he would bring to United:
The Frenchman has Premier
League experience and is an established hitman who is a constant threat in
the opposition box. He is good in the air and can hold the ball pretty well. He
is comfortable with his back to the goal but also possesses every attribute to
work in Solskjaer’s fast, fluid system.
What the papers say:
Chelsea
has long been leading the race for his signature, but the latest rumors suggest
that Manchester United are preparing
a counteroffer to match the Blues. There’s nothing concrete to report, though,
except that United’s interest is real and the Red Devils are also desperate to
sign a striker this month.
Chances of his arrival:
Moderate. United’s desire to invest in the Frenchman will depend
on the other striking options available to the club in the winter.
Edinson Cavani
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| Edinson Cavani |
The Uruguayan marksman has long been one of the deadliest
strikers in the world. Edinson Cavani
has received rave reviews throughout his career and is already a legend of the
game. Now entering the twilight of his career, the PSG striker still has generated interest from a host of top clubs
in Europe and as expected, Manchester
United are among those vying for his signature.
The Ligue 1 champions have already rejected one bid from Atletico Madrid for Cavani, and the La
Liga side are expected to return with an improved offer this month. Chelsea are also tracking the player,
who has an admirer in Lampard. United’s current striker woes mean that the Red
Devils are also linked with the PSG
man.
What he would bring to United:
Manchester United currently lack a proven goalscorer in the
team. Their young and inexperienced front-line has faltered on quite a few
occasions this season and maybe a little bit of maturity is what Solskajer
needs to turn his fortunes around. Cavani will bring a world of experience with
him which will be priceless for the likes of Mason Greenwood. In addition, United will have a world-class hitman
who could make use of the runners around him in the final third.
What the papers say:
Chelsea
remain the frontrunner for his signature, but the latest reports suggest that his
wage demands could prove to be a constraint in the completion of the deal. Manchester United are still in the hunt
for his signature and the striker also remains open to a move to Old Trafford, so a deal cannot be ruled
out yet.
Chances of his arrival:
Moderate. The Red Devils desperately need a player of Cavani’s
reputation to reignite the fear in the attack, especially now that Rashford is
out for a substantial period of time. He could have an impact similar to, or
even greater than, Zlatan Ibrahimovic,
if he makes the move.
Jack Grealish
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| Jack Grealish |
The Englishman is another creative player who has been
linked to the Red Devils of late, after impressing for Aston Villa this season. Jack
Grealish has shown United time and again what they are missing in the No.
10 position at the moment and he could be a fantastic bit of business for Manchester United if they do manage to
get this deal over the line.
Grealish gave United fans a glimpse of his abilities by
scoring a wonder goal against the Red Devils this season at Old Trafford and it is understandable that
fans want more of him right now. The Englishman would also represent a cheaper
alternative to James Maddison for
the Red Devils and might even be easier to price away too.
What he would bring to United:
Grealish is another attacking midfielder who is a cut above the
current players available to Solskjaer. His movement, abilities on the ball as
well as an eye for the goal would be just what the doctor ordered for the Red Devils.
In addition, the Englishman has displayed tenacity and stomach for a battle
that will bode well with Solskjaer’s pressing tactics.
What the papers say:
There
are unconfirmed reports that the Englishman has committed himself to Villa for
the rest of the season. Grealish is apparently determined to help his club
secure a stay in the Premier League this season and will only consider his
future in the summer.
Chances of his arrival:
Pretty Low. Like Soumare, Manchester
United will probably have better luck trying to convince Grealish to make
the move in the summer.
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