With the January transfer window open, here are five realistic options for Manchester United to strongly consider.
By Jamie Martin
However, many of the big time players are rarely available mid-season and clubs often struggle to find strong money for value deals. Van Gaal has stated in the past that conducting a transfer is a difficult process and depends upon a lot of factors.
So, here are five options that are not necessarily big names, but would add quality and depth to the United ranks as the season progresses.
Moussa Dembélé (Fulham)
Dembélé, a 19 year old French Forward, has risen rapidly through Fulham’s ranks to emerge as one of the best players in the English second division. With 9 goals in the current campaign, Dembélé has caught the eye of many Premier League teams including Manchester United, Liverpool, and Tottenham. New Fulham manager Slavisa Jokanovic has claimed that none of his star players will be sold in January including the French youngster. Despite these claims, a reasonable offer could interest Dembélé and force the club into selling.
Another option that may change Jokanovic’s mind would be a similar situation to what occurred with Wilfried Zaha in 2013. United bought the winger during the January transfer window but agreed to loan him back to his old club, Crystal Palace, for the remainder of the season as they pushed for promotion to the Premier League. Though this option does not necessarily improve Manchester United in the short term, it does help them to strengthen the core of promising young players that continue to arrive at the club.
An offer in the $15-20 million range and a temporary loan back to Fulham could get the job done.
Sam Byram (Leeds United)
A 22 year old Right Back/Winger, Byram’s solid performances in the Championship have sparked interest from multiple lower level Premier League clubs. With a contract running out at the end of the season, the Englishman is likely to be sold by his current club. Leeds United are thought to be willing to cash in on Byram as it is highly unlikely that he is open to extending his deal.
Manchester United have not been included in the many rumors surrounding the full back however, with defensive cover needed, it is an option that the club should look at. Injuries at the outside back positions have become a problem for United as Luke Shaw and Antonio Valencia face lengthy spells on the sidelines and Marcos Rojo continues to struggle with injury. Byram has a bright future and would be an exciting back up option for a big club like Manchester United.
An offer in the $8-10 million range could be feasible as Leeds United have accepted the fact that the player desires to move on.
Felipe Anderson (Lazio)
As the rumors continue to gain steam, there is no question that Manchester United have some level of interest in Felipe Anderson. He is a skilled, pacy Brazilian attacking midfielder who could bring flair to United’s ranks. It is a realistic option but one that may not make total sense for the club.
Anderson is valued at somewhere near $50 million and has failed to replicate his bright form of the past during the current campaign. At 22 years old Anderson clearly has a bright future but at the moment United is full of young, promising attackers. Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard have flourished while Memphis Depay has struggled to match his potential and price tag. There is also Adnan Januzaj to consider as a new signing would make the attacking midfield positions even more crowded once he returns from his loan at Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
It is tough to predict whether the deal will happen or not but there is no question that both the player and the club are at least somewhat open to a move. If Anderson is signed, it could be classified as a panic buy for years to come.
Gregory van der Wiel (Paris Saint-Germain)
United manager Louis van Gaal has an undeniable Dutch connection. Having coached the National Team from 2012-2014, he knows Dutch players very well and has brought two of them, Daley Blind and Memphis Depay, to Manchester United.
Gregory van der Wiel is also Dutch and played for Van Gaal during the 2014 World Cup. With defensive injuries becoming a plague at Manchester United, Van der Wiel could be a reasonable back up to bring to the club.
Van der Wiel, a 27 year old right back, has the experience to provide cover for a United defense that desperately needs it. He struggles to maintain a regular place in the PSG team and could possibly be open to a move to the Premier League.
Big clubs tend to keep their players during January, but a loan move or even a decent transfer fee could be tempting for both sides.
Bruno Martins Indi (Porto)
Bruno Martins Indi fits Manchester United in almost every way. He is versatile and can play at both Center Back and Left Back. He is Dutch and played for Van Gaal during the last World Cup. He is young and has plenty of room for improvement.
Despite all these positives, it is strange that the United manager did not bring Martins Indi to the club when he first signed on. If he fits the Van Gaal style and profile so well, why is he not already at Manchester United?
If the reason is simply that Van Gaal did not think he was ready at the time then maybe his mindset has changed over the past two years. Martins Indi, despite criticism over recent performances, is a proper defender nearing the age of 24 that could add depth and versatility to the United defense.
Having joined Porto in 2014, Martins Indi would likely command a decent fee. An offer in the range of $20 million could tempt the club into selling for a profit during this transfer window.