Man United Transfer Rumours: Leading race for Colombian defender, Dutch midfielder on the radar, Hunt for Moroccan forward
Man United have been offered the opportunity to sign free-agent defender Santiago Arias. Colombia international was last contracted to Atletico Madrid before he left La Liga giants this year and became a free agent. Arias is yet to find a new team, after struggling to cement a regular place at Wanda Metropolitano.
Santiago spent two campaigns out on loan at Granada and Bayer Leverkusen and is now searching for a new team. The 30-year-old right-back has now been offered to the Red Devils.
The Red Devils may have been exploring the opportunity to add a defender during the summer, but due to the fantastic form of Diogo Dalot at the start of the campaign, their priorities may have shifted elsewhere.
If the correct chance arises for a free agent, then Erik ten Hag is unlikely to turn it down, but with Diogo Dalot performing well and Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a backup option, a move to add the Colombian defender wouldn’t make too much sense as it stands.
Although predominantly a right-back, the Colombian can also fill in on the left and even further upfield in the right midfield. However, the South American defender is widely expected to be just a right-sided full-back here as we have enough options on the left.
The Red Devils do have Wan-Bissaka as an option to play at right-back when Dalot is unavailable and it is not a necessity that they really add another footballer for the position.
Man United’s prime target in the summer transfer window was Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong. However, the Red Devils ended up luring Casemiro from Real Madrid and the Netherlands international stayed put with the Blaugrana.
Man United made an important offer to add de Jong from the Catalan giants, who wanted him to take a pay cut or leave. Frenkie decided to remain and did not even accept a reduction in salary which is still a massive concern at the Spanish club.
His last deal was signed only a week before the departure of the former president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, and the current management does not think the deal is feasible. The Red Devils have improved under the management of Erik ten Hag as Eriksen and McTominay have impressed in the centre of the park.
Still, Man United need to improve the quality and depth of their midfield. In the current season, thus far, Xavi has mainly preferred the likes of Busquets, Gavi and Pedri in his midfield and in such a scenario, the 25-year-old midfielder has just started a single match in the Spanish La Liga.
The Catalan news source have mentioned that due to the complexity of the deal and the fact that the Dutchman is mainly warming the bench, there could be movements to finally ensure his exit in the January transfer window.
Man United are prepared to up the ante in their attempts to add Chelsea attacker Hakim Ziyech during the winter window. Morocco international joined the London giants from Ajax in the summer of 2020 amid much fanfare, but things have not worked out for him at Chelsea.
Ziyech has had fitness setbacks throughout his two-year stint with Chelsea, while the appointment of Thomas Tuchel and the subsequent change in formation has deprived him of regular game time. Hakim has fallen out of favour at the London club and is yet to play a single minute of football this campaign.
And an exit is likely this summer, with Milan having been linked with a move for him. However, the Red Devils have also shown an interest in signing the Moroccan attacker, with new coach Erik ten Hag keen on a reunion.
The Dutch manager managed to get the best out of the 29-year-old attacker during their time together at Ajax and is looking to reunite with him at Theatre of Dreams. However, up until now, the Red Devils board were said to be reluctant to back the Dutch coach over a move for the African attacker.
However, the Red Devils board are now set to move forward with their pursuit of the African attacker if Chelsea are willing to do business for a reasonable transfer fee. Man United are in the market for attacking reinforcements, particularly in the striker slot and the right flank.
