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For many football fans, “Transfer Deadline Day” is always a true highlight of the football calendar; be that for the January transfer window or the summer transfer window.
Transfer Deadline Day is the final day of each of those windows, with clubs often frantically running around to get a deal finalised before the transfer window slams shut. Because let’s face it, transfer windows don’t just close quietly; no, they have to slam shut as agents, players and clubs desperately look to get deals signed off in the nick of time.
Right now, the English transfer window is edging ever closer, with any and all deals needed to be completed by 11 pm BST on January 31st. That means clubs that want to make reinforcements need to get their skates on, for time is of the essence.
One particular club that has been in the press a lot lately is, of course, Manchester United. Having brought in club legend Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to bring a sprinkling of positivity and joy to the doom ‘n’ gloom dressing room left behind by Jose Mourinho, the former United striker has been an instant hit as he's led the Red Devils to win after win after win.
Whether Solskjaer is ultimately handed the Old Trafford manager’s job on a permanent basis remains to be seen, but that’s not to say that the Norwegian won’t be looking to make a signing or two before the January transfer window closes.
With that in mind, then, here are 5 players who could sign for Man Utd before the end of January.
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#5 Nicolo Barella
One of the hottest prospects in world football right now is Italian midfielder Nicolo Barella.
The Cagliari youth product has cemented himself in the club’s first team over the past few seasons, rapidly approaching 100 senior appearances for the Rossoblu since making his debut for the side in 2014.
What is so appealing about Barella is the poise and intelligence he so often shows for one so young – he doesn’t turn 22 until next month – and he has had standout performances in a variety of midfield roles; the young Italian international player has impressed with his creativity and dribbling skills, while simultaneously starring when used in a deeper position that saw his determined ball-winning ways showcased.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Manchester United have joined the ever-expanding number of clubs who are circling Barella, meaning the Red Devils joining a who’s who of Europe’s elite sides that are monitoring the midfield star.
Recently, Inter Milan seemed to emerge as the frontrunners for Barella’s signature. Well, until Inter baulked at the £43 million that Cagliari are demanding for their star player. Those same Gazzetta reports go on to claim that Barella and Cagliari would be extremely keen on a switch to Old Trafford – should United be willing to match that £43 million price tag, of course.
#4 Kostas Manolas
Strong, quick, brave and a leader of men, Kostas Manolas is the sort of centre-back that managers dream of.
Now while those attributes themselves make him an appealing prospect for a whole host of clubs across the world, the kicker here is that the Roma defender will be available for the relatively modest price of €36 million… in the summer.
According to several news outlets – including calciomercato.com – Manolas has a clause in his contract that will allow him to leave Stadio Olimpico for €36 million once the 2018-2019 comes to a close. Considering how inflated the transfer market is these days, that price is an absolute steal for one of the very best centre-halves in the game.
It goes without saying that Manolas has a whole load of suitors weighing up a move for him in the summer, with Manchester United one such club. Talks are believed to be ongoing for the Greece international to move to Old Trafford in the summer, but there is the option to pay Roma a higher transfer fee in order to sign up Manolas in January.
If United really are keen on bringing in defensive options during this transfer window – and more importantly, if they want to pip their rivals to this signing – it may well be worth United pushing the boat out to secure Manolas’ signature before the current transfer window closes.
#3 Nikola Milenkovic
For what feels like an age now, it’s been clear to see that Manchester United are in desperate need of backline reinforcements.
Victor Lindelof has looked magnificent since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took over the Old Trafford hot seat, but the serious questions concern who is good enough to line up alongside the ball-playing Swedish stopper. Phil Jones and Chris Smalling have had years to prove themselves as the solution to this problem, yet have consistently looked out of their depth on a far too regular basis. Eric Bailly? Brilliant when he first arrived from Villarreal, erratic and inconsistent once the honeymoon period ran out. And then there’s Marcos Rojo, who seems destined to be heading for the Old Trafford exit door sooner rather than later despite looking steady on the rare moments that he’s actually match fit.
One potential answer to Manchester United’s defensive problems could well be Fiorentina’s Nikola Milenkovic.
A player regularly dubbed the second coming of Nemanja Vidic by Serie A enthusiasts, the young Serbian defender seems destined to end up at one of European football’s biggest clubs. And, according to Fiorentina’s Pantaleo Corvino, United have reportedly already tried to bring in the Serb.
Corvino recently stated how the Viola turned down a “great offer” for Milenkovic from the Red Devils.
With a reported price tag of £45 million, it seems as if Milenkovic could well end up as an Old Trafford player should United really want to push the boat out before the January transfer window slams shut.
#2 Steven Bergwijn
Manchester United have had quite the history with Dutch players going on to become fundamental parts of their side over the decades.
From Arnold Muhren to Jaap Stam, to Ruud van Nistelrooy, to Edwin van der Sar, to Robin van Persie, to Daley Blind. They are all players who had key roles to play in successful United teams at one point in time.
Of course, names like Jordi Cruyff, Alex Buttner and sadly even Memphis Depay don’t conjure up such fond memories, but the point is that the Red Devils have a history of bringing Dutch talent to Old Trafford.
Now, in 2019, could we be about to see Steven Bergwijn join the list of Netherlands internationals who have pulled on United’s famed red shirt?
The PSV winger has been ‘one to watch’ for the past couple of seasons, and he’s now starting to mature into quite the exceptional player. At 21 years of age, the winger has cemented himself as a regular starter for the Eindhoven outfit and last year saw him make his senior debut for the Netherlands.
To say that the future is bright for Bergwijn would be an understatement, and he already has some of Europe’s biggest teams keeping an eye on him. While Bayern Munich see the electric forward as a ready-made replacement for Arjen Robben, Manchester United are also in the hunt for the player.
According to Sky Sports, United have asked to be kept informed on Bergwijn’s availability; with any transfer likely to cost in the region of £25 million.
#1 Joachim Andersen
Despite only arriving in Italy last season, Danish centre-back Joachim Andersen has already made a reputation for himself as one of the best young defenders playing in Serie A.
At 22 years of age, the Sampdoria defender has emerged as one of the league’s hottest prospects since his arrival from Holland’s FC Twente. And as is always the case with such hotly tipped youngsters, some of football’s biggest clubs are circling him.
Where Manchester United come into the picture is down to Stefano Rapetti. Who, you ask? Well, Rapetti is a fitness coach who used to work for the Red Devils as part of Jose Mourinho’s backroom staff. Before joining United, Rapetti had been at Sampdoria until 2017; it is his contacts there who alerted him to the quality of Andersen.
A strong 6 ft 3 frame, impressive technical skills and seemingly with the potential to become truly world-class, Andersen has reportedly been lined up to head to Old Trafford in the summer. With Tottenham Hotspur now weighing up a move for Andersen, it might be that United’s hand is forced and a January move is instead actioned for the Dane.
