It doesn’t seem two minutes since the summer transfer window slammed shut….but January’s is already starting to creak open, with rumours aplenty as clubs look to strengthen for their pushes for glory. Here, we take a look at five players that may be shining brightly on the Manchester United radar come the New Year.
RAPHAEL VARANE (Real Madrid – CB)
Finding solid and reliable centre backs continues to be a problem for United, with question marks all hanging over Smalling, Jones and Lindelof, whilst Rojo and Bailly recover from injuries that only time will see whether they can recapture impressive previous form. Mourinho is a long time admirer of Varane, who is fighting for his place in Los Blancos with Pepe, but only recently signed a contract extension that finishes in 2022. This wont frighten off Mourinho though who may well reignite his interest in the player and look to turn his head, especially if United can maintain their Champions League campaign and Varane feels he can get more first team action at Old Trafford than at the Bernabeu
GARETH BALE (Real Madrid – FW)
Staying at Madrid, and the player continuously linked with United, Gareth Bale. It seems fairly inevitable that Bale will end up at Old Trafford – more a case of when than if. But, it could happen as early as January, especially if Madrid make a move for Tottenham’s Harry Kane. This could light the touch paper to a chain of events between the three clubs that sees an amazing player merry-go-round, but Bale ending up as a Red Devil. It is highly unlikely that United will be able to broker a deal with Madrid to bring in Bale with nothing else happening as part of the deal – but with United likely to be the only club that Bale does leave Madrid for, it could just happen.
DANNY ROSE (Tottenham Hotspur – LB)
Left back is another position United feel is a weak link, and they have long been associated with England full back Rose, who has made little secret of his desire to return back to his more northerly roots and play for Manchester United. Current employers Spurs will not make it easy, or cheap, for United to land their man, but will feel confident enough to make a move for him, knowing that he already fancies a move to Old Trafford.
CARLOS SOLER (Valencia – MF)
At just 20, Soler has already caught the attention of Manchester United and they are already preparing to launch a January bid for around £30 million – although Soler has just signed a new contract at Valencia that has a buy out clause in there for almost triple that figure. That may be too much too soon for United, but the bid may well be considered anyway as Mourinho looks to future proof the United midfield.
MARCO REUS (Borussia Dortmund – AM)
Reus is currently injured and not expected to be playing again until early next year, but this may not prevent United making a move for the star, who has issued a ‘come and get me’ plea to United, who may need to battle Arsenal for his signature, but again will consider them favourites to land the player who will still feel he has plenty to offer despite his current lay off and could be the sort of player to make an instant impact at Old Trafford if he can recover the form that made him one of the world’s top names.
As always, whomever Manchester United turn their attentions to in January will find it very hard to resist the approach of the worlds biggest domestic club…who, hopefully, will still be right in the chase for titles both in England and Europe when the January transfer window opens fully.
WHO WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE AT UNITED IN JANUARY? LET US KNOW IN THE COMMENTS SECTION BELOW!