Manchester United fans in the Transfer Tavern are enjoying a pleasant conversation with our barmaid ahead of a crucial Champions League clash with CSKA Moscow this evening, as they debate who could join in January.
The boys are extremely excited to be heavily linked with Leicester City’s in-form Premier League star Riyad Mahrez and firmly believe they have him in the bag, stating a lump-sum for the Algerian in January would leave the Foxes hapless to fight off the interest.
Our regulars don’t want the action to stop there though and have asked our bar staff, who overhear all the transfer gossip here at the Tavern, who could join Mahrez as an incoming deal in the New Year.
With plenty of stories concerning United it was difficult to dig through the pile but in the end, our team agreed on five players who have a strong chance of moving to Old Trafford in January.
Click Mahrez below to see FIVE players who could follow the Algerian to United in January!
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Hakan Calhanoglu
Reportedly available for a fee of around £29m, Bayer Leverkusen’s Hakan Calhanoglu could find himself amongst a bidding war in the New Year. As well as Manchester United, title rivals Arsenal are also keen on the Turkish international.
Likened to Gunners star Mesut Ozil, and deadly from set-pieces, United would thrive by adding the 21-year-old to their squad. Louis Van Gaal may have a edge with more chances of first-team football of the Turk, with Calhanoglu unlikely to expel any of Arsenal’s in-form midfield options.
Thriving in the centre of the field, Calhanoglu could be the missing link for a underperforming Manchester United attacking contingent.
Youri Tielemans
Another top-target that could be subject to intense interest in the New Year is Anderlecht’s Youri Tielemans, a player linked with both Manchester United and Manchester City; with the teenage star expected to cost around £30m.
Just 19-years-old, Tielemans is the latest excellent product from Belgium’s extremely talented crop of stars. Likely to explode in the coming years, a move to United in January would see Van Gaal’s side secure the talented addition before more eyes from European giants come lurking.
With the potential to become a huge star in the future, Tielemans also fits with Van Gaal’s philosophy of leaving a squad breaming with young talent for his predecessor.
Alexandre Pato
Currently flirting with a move to the Premier League, former Brazilian international Alexandre Pato could be an easy fix to Manchester United’s attacking line. With West Ham also interested, they’d have to convince the South American he’d get first-team football, but that shouldn’t be too difficult considering Wayne Rooney’s current lack of form.
Pato would be a fairly cheap addition but wouldn’t be likely to set the Premier League alight. He may be better suited to West Ham but the fact is United need an attacking boost and they’re unlikely to get a big-name forward midway through the season.
Felipe Anderson
22-year-old Lazio ace Felipe Anderson has regularly been linked with a Premier League move, often filling the gossip columns of Manchester United, and the Red Devils have a strong chance of capturing the highly-rated star in January.
Anderson would provide a boost to United’s attack but with Lazio reportedly eying a £40m fee for the young player, they could find negotiations difficult. However, Van Gaal does have the money to spend and he may need to dip into his pockets to bolster his squad’s chances of securing the Premier League title.
Sergi Samper
Like many of the players featured here, Manchester United will face competition to secure Barcelona youngster Sergi Samper as Arsenal are long-term fans of the young Spaniard. However, with Barcelona set to sell, all the is required is convincing the player of a move.
Pamper may get more first-team football at United, which could be crucial in negotiations, but Arsenal have a decent relationship with the Catalan giants after Alexis Sanchez’ addition last year, whilst various other business has been completed between the two sides.
