Manchester United are preparing for another hectic transfer window in January – a new midfielder and an attacker have been linked with moves to Old Trafford to bolster Ruben Amorim’s team
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Robert Lewandowski has been linked with a move to Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
Manchester United spent over £200million on improving Ruben Amorim’s squad in the summer transfer window on Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Senne Lammens – but January could see more new faces come through the door.
The Reds have endured a mixed start to the new season, with them currently sitting ninth in the Premier League. However, back-to-back victories over Sunderland and Liverpool have lifted the pressure off Amorim.
With Mbeumo, Cunha and Lammens earning plaudits with their early performances, focus is already turning to the January transfer window. It’s widely expected that a new midfielder will be prioritised, with the likes of Angelo Stiller and Carlos Baleba linked.
However, new names continue to be linked with moves to Old Trafford. So with that in mind, MEN Sport brings you the latest rumours doing the rounds…
Lewandowski approach made
United spent big on a new striker in the summer with Sesko, but with news that Joshua Zirkee is growing tired of his limited minutes, another No.9 is expected to be lined up at the end of the season.
According to Spanish outlet SPORT, Robert Lewandowski is hugely admired by Amorim and viewed as the perfect mentor for Sesko. The Polish international’s contract at Barcelona expires in the summer, and he is yet to agree a new deal.
The report claims that United are among the clubs that have reached out to the striker’s entourage to discuss the possibility of a free transfer in the summer.
MEN Sport says: “At 37, there really isn’t a lot left in Robert Lewandowski. His goalscoring record speaks for itself – having bagged 647 club goals in his career to date as well as 87 for Poland – and that is something United have not had for years.
“He turns 38 in August, meaning if he did move to Old Trafford, Amorim would get one season out of it. With no clear back-up to Sesko, it could make perfect sense with a prolific goalscorer mentoring him.
Robert Lewandowski’s contract at Barcelona expires at the end of the season(Image: Getty Images)
“There’s also the consideration that not many strikers will be ‘happy’ with joining the club and be second choice. At his age, Lewandowski won’t have many complaints and it could be the best free transfer completed in years.”
Loan move eyed for Baleba alternative
United’s search for a new midfielder has been ongoing since last summer, and after they were priced out of a move for Baleba, the players linked with them have increased significantly.
The latest name is Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher. talkSPORT has reported that United are keen on the England international and are currently exploring various ways to sign him in January.
Manchester United are reported to retain an interest in Atletico Madrid midfielder Conor Gallagher(Image: Cristian Trujillo/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images)
It’s reported that United would prefer a loan move for Gallagher, who would only cost £35m, whereas Atletico would rather sell him permanently.
MEN Sport says: “Gallagher falls into the bracket of players who face missing out on a place at the World Cup and for United, that could work perfectly.
“A new midfielder is desperately needed, ideally a defensive one to replace Casemiro. Whilst Gallagher doesn’t fit that mould specifically, he would definitely bolster Amorim’s options and give them something to think about in the summer.
“A loan move would be the ideal one for United, with them likely to prefer to spend any budget remaining on the likes of Baleba or Adam Wharton in the summer.”
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