Manchester United report: Two bargain summer targets could yet join in January

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag arrives ahead of the UEFA Europa League group E match between Sheriff Tiraspol and Manchester United at Stadionul Zimbru on September 15, 2022 in Chisinau, Moldova.
(Image credit: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)

Manchester United are already planning for a busy January window, with two big signings potentially arriving at Old Trafford.

After a slow start to the transfer window, the Red Devils managed to bring in a raft of new recruits, including the £85 million acquisition of Antony from Ajax on Deadline Day. Fellow Sao Paolo-bred star Casemiro joined from Real Madrid for around £60m, too, in a blockbuster move. 

Erik ten Hag also raided his native Netherlands for left-back bargain Tyrell Malacia and centre-back Lisandro Martinez – who has settled nicely into the Premier League after early criticism and a half-time hooking in the horror show away to Brentford. 

Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez

Lisandro Martinez has had a solid start to the season for Manchester United (Image credit: Mark Leech/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)

Now, Ten Hag wants to rekindle some of the links that were suggested during the summer, according to reports. 

Spanish outlet Fichajes reports that Belgian midfielder Youri Tielemans is high on the priority list for United. The Leicester City schemer has less than a year remaining on his deal in the east Midlands, with the Foxes failing to sell him in the summer. Arsenal were most consistently linked but could not agree on a fee. 

Ajax star Brian Brobbey is also on the shortlist, according to TeamTalk. Brobbey, who moved to RB Leipzig before returning to Amsterdam, was a summer target.

With the future of Cristiano Ronaldo uncertain and the likes of Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial as options up front, Ten Hag is said to want more competition in a squad that lacks a natural outlet up top. Brobbey could now cost up to £50m.

Youri Tielemans of Leicester City during the Leicester City training camp on July 12, 2022 in Evian-les-Bains,

Youri Tielemans will leave Leicester for nothing next summer if he doesn't secure a January move away (Image credit: Plumb Images/Leicester City FC via Getty Images)

After a difficult start in which he lost his opening two games, Ten Hag has turned the tide for his new club, managing to beat the likes of Arsenal and Liverpool at home. 

United take on Manchester City after the international break. 

More Manchester United stories

Plans for January at Manchester United are already being drawn up but apparently depend upon the future of Cristiano Ronaldo

A replacement for David De Gea has apparently been identified, while Jude Bellingham is apparently on the radar. United are also in for Barcelona ace Gavi.

Meanwhile, former Manchester United captain Gary Neville has been speaking to FFT about the influence of American owners and how they threaten "the fabric of the English game".

Mark White
Content Editor

Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.