12 Jan 2025 11:03:27
Looking at the most recent rumours we could see a bit of a transfer merry-go-round between United, PSG and Napoli.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia has supposedly said he wants to leave Napoli with PSG looking like his most likely destination. He'd be an great replacement for Mbappe.
This leaves Napoli with a hole to fill on their left hand side. Rashford would be a good replacement, while the tax situation in Italy make it one of the few places where Rashford would be able to get something close to his current salary.
United wouldn't need to replace Rashford with a like for like player as the system under Amorim doesn't use natural wide forwards like Rashford. However, there is a player at PSG who is refusing to sign a new deal and only has 18 months left on his current deal who would be ideal for United under Amorim. Step forward Nuno Mendes, the dream and near perfect LWB for United under Amorim.
Could we see a situation where PSG buy Kvaratskhelia from Napoli, Napoli use that money to buy Rashford as a replacement, and United use the Rashford money to buy Nuno Mendes. Which offsets PSG's spending to help keep them in line with PSR/ FFP, while also meaning they move on a player before his value drops too much due to a dwindling contract.
On the face of it this merry-go-round would suit all three clubs (United and PSG more so than Napoli) .
12 Jan 2025 12:05:30
Who would you sign if we could bring in two players this window that’s attainable under the current conditions.
12 Jan 2025 12:59:03
Personally I'd pay the buy back for fernandez as LB. Then use rashford as a sweetener in a deal with napoli for kvara. he'd be perfect for the 10/ inside forward role on the left.
12 Jan 2025 13:42:11
Kevani,
That's really difficult to work out as what is "attainable under the current conditions"?
If we don't sell Rashford or someone then very little is probably attainable in January.
In terms of priorities I'd have LWB as the top priority, CF as second, and a energetic box to box midfielder as third. We need to create balance first, then get someone who can link play more consistently in the final third, while we need depth behind Mainoo and Ugarte.
All other positions I think could wait until the summer, getting another CB for example or another creative midfielder, or a RWB. These are positions where we need more depth or quality, but we probably have players good enough for now.
In January we have to get a LWB, if we have the budget and he's prepared to make the move then Nuno Mendes is the ideal/ dream signing, if we can't afford him or he isn't prepared to join us then Alvaro Fernandez is an obvious upgrade available for a knock down price to us.
In terms of strikers, I don't see any that might be available in January, certainly not for the kind of money we could afford. Maybe an outside chance we could agree a loan with an obligation to buy deal with Napoli for Victor Osimhen. However, I have said I have concerns over him as a signing, mostly due to his injury record. Although his wage demands and history of falling out with clubs is also concerning.
Yet in truth I don't see anyone other strikers that are even remotely possible in January. It might be a case of trying to make do until the summer when we will have more money available and when there are more options available.
Midfield is an interesting area to look at in January. We've been linked with players like Ederson from Atalanta who on the face of things looks a good fit for Amorim's system. He's energetic, technically sound, well balanced player who is good as both attacking and defending. Although he'd be very expensive in January, that's if Atalanta will even let him go given their current title charge.
Other players I like for this role would include Manu Kone, Khephren Thuram, Cheick Doucoure, and Quinten Timber. Although how many of them would be available in January for a reasonable fee is the real issue. One player we might be able to get for a reasonable fee who fits the profile well is Napoli's Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa. He wouldn't be a long term solution having just turned 29, but he has EPL experience, is the right profile and should be available for a low fee given he's out of contract in the summer. On a short term deal as a back up/ rotation option he would be a good signing. Giving the club 2-3 years to develop lads like Collyer or Sekou Kone into first team players, while giving Mainoo a chance to further develop without the need to play every game. He'd also not eat into the budget allowing the money to be focused on other areas, signing more expensive long term targets.
Khephren Thuram would be the dream signing here, he'd add a physicality that we are missing along with the right profile of player. He's also capable of playing as the No.6 or the No.8 meaning he can cover for both Ugarte and Mainoo. But given he has just signed for AC Milan he seems an unlikely signing. Quinten Timber could be the smart signing. Very energetic, physically robust, technically excellent and playing in a league and for a team that it shouldn't be too difficult to sign him from for a reasonable price.
12 Jan 2025 15:36:14
I can see Napoli being more interested in Garnacho than Rashford.
12 Jan 2025 18:40:26
Rumour has it they have made contact for garnacho, I'd be disappointed to see him leave, he works hard for the team and he's only going to get better.
Getting fernandez back seems a no brainer, casemiro leaving could make that move happen, we already have a replacement for him in collyer.
Can't see much movement this window maybe erikson and evans leaving if someone comes in for them and a few youngsters like amass and gore leaving on loan.