Manchester United are ready to further strengthen their side in January with three more signings eyed, starting with Leicester’s Youri Tielemans, according to a report.
The Red Devils are finally starting to feel the effects of Erik ten Hag’s methods. After an embarrassing start that saw them lose their first two games, including a 4-0 trouncing at Brentford, the Red Devils are now on an excellent run of form. And five wins from their last six games in all competitions has seen the club shoot up the Premier League table.
It’s probably the least the club should expect though, that said. The new United boss is regarded as one of the elite coaches in the game. And after a labourious season that saw United stumble home in sixth place, surely the only way was up.
Furthermore, after the arrival of six new summer signings, costing to the tune of some £216m, an improvement is not just required but an actual necessity.
Indeed, both Lisandro Martinez and Christian Eriksen have hugely improved United already. There are also promising early signs from their major summer signing, Antony, after his goalscoring debut. Casemiro is also starting to find his feet and he will surely soon be a regular in their midfield.
Better yet, United are finally starting to see the true colours of Jadon Sancho. And it seems Marcus Rashford is also looking far happier and more like the player who first burst on to the scene with United.
However, it seems United’s spending is not over yet and the Glazer family are ready to provide further funds to strengthen. To that end, a report in the Daily Mail claims the Dutchman will be able to spend another £100m in January.
Youri Tielemans is top Man Utd target
According to a report coming from Spain, Ten Hag is still looking for further midfield reinforcements. And the player who is labelled as the ‘chosen one’ in that position is Leicester star Youri Tielemans.
The Belgian is out of contract in June 2023 and was seemingly available for transfer in the summer just gone. And despite links with Arsenal and Newcastle, Tielemans, surprisingly, ended up staying with Leicester.
However, his time at the King Power is not expected to last much longer. The midfielder is seemimgly unwilling to extend his stay at the club and is available to negotiate a free transfer overseas from January 1.
The alternative, of course, is that Leicester sell him for what they can when the January window opens. At his peak, Tielemans is rated in the £50m – £60m bracket.
However, given his contract situation, he could be on the move for as little as £20m in January. And Ten Hag reportedly sees that as a golden opportunity that Manchester United cannot miss.
His won’t be the only signing either if the report is accurate. They claim Ten Hag is also eyeing two further additions with a striker and a right-back also on his wishlist.
Brian Brobbey to United links re-emerge
United are also very much back on the trail of young Ajax striker Brian Brobbey. The Dutchman was linked with United over the summer with those rumours growing in recent weeks amid a huge admission about United from Brobbey himself.
Any deal for the striker is likely to set United back around £50m. While he’s still relatively raw, the 20-year-old does boast 10 goals in 21 appearances for Ajax over two spells.
As Ajax have shown before, though, with Martinez and Antony, they will not be bowled over easily.
To that end, United will likely be forced to dig deep if a fourth raid – if you take Ten Hag into the equation – on Ajax is to come off.
Ten Hag is also looking to strengthen his right-back area. Aaron Wan-Bissaka has no future at United and he will likely be sold in January. West Ham and his former club Crystal Palace are among those lurking. United, though, will be forced to take a significant hit on their £50m investment.
The right-back berth is currently held by Diogo Dalot, but there are doubts he will hold down the position in the long-term. As a result, the report claims Ten Hag is pushing to sign an unnamed Eredivisie right-back.
Inter Milan’s Denzel Dumfries is also reportedly an option, though he would cost far higher. And as a short-term fix, United are also reportedly looking at free agent Santiago Arias.
