Man Utd transfer round-up: Erik ten Hag targeting double transfer to revamp midfield
It's exactly a month until the January transfer window opens, and Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is compiling a wish list to increase his team's chances of winning the Premier League.
Manchester United is anticipated to be active in the January transfer window following the mutual termination of Cristiano Ronaldo’s contract.
Ronaldo, 37, has quit Manchester United after criticizing the Glazers and manager Erik ten Hag in an explosive interview with Piers Morgan. The Portugal international also targeted former Manchester United players Gary Neville, Wayne Rooney, and Ralf Rangnick.
As a result, Ten Hag must bring in a new forward. Cody Gakpo is thought to be at the top of United’s transfer wishlist, although the Dutchman has also been linked with other clubs. So, who else is United looking at? Here is the Manchester United transfer round-up from Mirror Football.
Zubimendi is on the radar.
According to TEAMtalk, Ten Hag is interested in signing Real Sociedad international Martin Zubimendi.
Zubimendi, 23, has established himself as one of Sociedad’s key players after appearing in 115 games for the club since making his debut in April 2019. He has one senior cap for Spain and has started both Europa League games against Manchester United this season.
Ronaldo’s departure has increased United’s monthly budget by £2 million. Zubimendi is said to have a €65 million (£56 million) release clause, which is more than United is willing to spend in January after investing more than £200 million in the team over the summer.
Unless a deal can be struck in January, United is expected to pursue Zubimendi in the summer. Their midseason priority is to replace Ronaldo.
United suffers yet another Fernandez setback.
According to A Bola, Liverpool is interested in signing Argentina international Enzo Fernandez from Benfica.
The speculation is a setback for United, as Ten Hag is an admirer of the 21-year-old midfielder. Fernandez joined Benfica just five months ago after impressing at River Plate and emerging into Argentina’s national team ahead of the World Cup.
Fernandez made headlines on Saturday after scoring a spectacular goal in Argentina’s 2-0 World Cup victory over Mexico. Argentina’s tournament hopes were saved, and numerous prominent clubs, notably Manchester United, admired the player’s teenage skill.
However, it is reported that Liverpool’s outgoing sporting director Julian Ward has identified Fernandez as a possible candidate to become the club’s next midfielder. Jurgen Klopp’s team is trying to reinforce that department, with Jude Bellingham at the top of their transfer wishlist but wanted by other European clubs.
This is bad news for United because Fernandez may be forced to pick between the two big rivals. It comes just days after the player was valued at £100 million.
Ronaldo is going to relocate to Saudi Arabia.
According to the Spanish publication Marca, Ronaldo’s future is nearing completion.
It is believed that the five-time Ballon d’Or winner is nearing a deal with Saudi Arabian club Al-Nassr. Ronaldo’s lone concrete offer this summer came from an undisclosed Saudi squad, and the free agent is set to activate that option following his departure from United.
During the two-and-a-half-year contract, Al-Nassr would reportedly pay Ronaldo €200 million (£173 million) per season. At 37, it’s possible that this would be the player’s final move, effectively ending his goal of playing in the Champions League again.
