Support truly independent journalism Find out more Close Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth. Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
A lack of creativity has Ole Gunnar Solskjaer now prioritising an attacking midfielder such as Jack Grealish or James Maddison this month – but the Manchester United manager remains conscious of the difficulty of getting the right player mid-season.
The Independent has also been told that the injury to Scott McTominay and ongoing issues with Paul Pogba have influenced strategy, and that a previous willingness to wait until the summer for any signings has softened. The nature of the display against Arsenal, where United again looked so unimaginative in a 2-0 defeat, has further influenced that.
Solskjaer had wanted an attacking midfielder for the summer anyway, but there is a realisation that has become even more pressing. Aston Villa’s Grealish and Maddison of Leicester are the top choices.
The club may again investigate the availability of Christian Eriksen , who is out of contract at Tottenham Hotspur in the summer, but his preference is to go abroad.
The advisors of Sporting’s Bruno Fernandes are meanwhile once more hopeful of bringing the attacker to England, but Solskjaer has been cool on that option since first being approached about it in the summer.
January transfer targetsShow all 41 1 /41January transfer targets January transfer targets January Transfer Targets Forty exciting players from across Europe who could potentially move this month.
Getty
January transfer targets Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace) £80m winger has consistently pushed for a move away from Selhurst Park, with Chelsea the most likely destination.
Getty
January transfer targets Jadon Sancho (Borussia Dortmund) German side are keen to hold onto the England international until the summer, however, a host of European clubs are looking to force Dortmund's hand.
AFP via Getty Images
January transfer targets Leroy Sane (Manchester City) Bayern Munich continue to be linked with the injured winger, with a Bundesliga move looking inevitable either this month or in the summer.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Dayot Upamecano (RB Leipzig) Arsenal were linked with the centre-back over the summer, but his £60m asking price may prove a stumbling block.
Bongarts/Getty Images
January transfer targets Timo Werner (RB Leipzig) Striker has been heavily linked with a move to Chelsea, although a number of European clubs are interested. German internaitonal may stay until the summer with Leipzig on such good form.
Bongarts/Getty Images
January transfer targets Ben Chilwell (Leicester) Leicester have pledged to hold onto the full-back until the summer, when Chelsea and Man City are set to battle for his signature.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Paul Pogba (Manchester United) Speculation has begun to boil yet again over Pogba's future, especially after the incendiary comments of his agent, Mino Raiola. He is expected to remain at least until the summer, though.
PA
January transfer targets Gareth Bale (Real Madrid) Came close to a move to China in the summer before the plug was pulled at the 11th hour. The same conundrum remains as to whether any club is willing to match his exorbitant wages.
Getty
January transfer targets Christian Eriksen (Tottenham) Has made clear his intention to leave Spurs when his contract expires in the summer and favours a move overseas, with Inter Milan reportedly entering talks with the Danish midfielder.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Samuel Umtiti (Barcelona) French World Cup-winner has been consistently linked with a move away from the Camp Nou, with Arsenal previously holding an interest. The 26-year-old would command a large fee, but was in attendance to watch Arsenal vs Manchester United on New Year's Day.
Icon Sport via Getty Images
January transfer targets Olivier Giroud (Chelsea) The curtain is almost certain to draw on the Frenchman's Chelsea career as he looks to secure his place at Euro 2020, having been almost completely shut out by Frank Lampard.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Nathan Ake (Bournemouth) Chelsea have long considered activating Dutch defender's £40m buy-back clause. Other clubs are also taking an interest as the Cherries toil.
REUTERS
January transfer targets Edinson Cavani (PSG) Veteran Uruguay striker is set to leave the Parc des Princes after being usurped by Mauro Icardi. Atletico Madrid and a number of MLS sides are reportedly taking an interest.
REUTERS
January transfer targets Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid) Frenchman has failed to deliver in his time at Atletico and Lyon are looking to make an approach to bring the midfielder back to Ligue 1.
AFP/Getty Images
January transfer targets Jarrod Bowen (Hull) It's inevitable that Hull will eventually cash in on the exciting winger who has already scored 16 goals this season. Aston Villa are currently favourites to secure his signature.
Action Images
January transfer targets Emerson (Chelsea) Left-back has fallen out of favour under Frank Lampard, who is in search of a replacement, and Inter Milan and Juventus have taken an interest in the Italy international.
Getty
January transfer targets Rhian Brewster (Liverpool - loan) Prodigious English striker has struggled for game time this season with Swansea, currently manager by former England U17 coach Steve Cooper, leading the race for his signature.
Action Images via Reuters
January transfer targets Curtis Jones (Liverpool - loan) Another exciting academy graduate, Jones made his debut this season but could join a Championship side in January to get increased game time after the arrival of Takumi Minamino.
Liverpool FC via Getty Images
January transfer targets Marcos Alonso (Chelsea) Spaniard has been sidelined by Frank Lampard and is pushing for a January move, with Serie A the likeliest option.
REUTERS
January transfer targets Nemanja Matic (Manchester United) Serbian's contract expires in the summer with Manchester United willing to cash in. However, any move could hinge on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side bringing in reinforcements after Scott McTominay's injury.
PA
January transfer targets Moussa Dembele (Lyon) Another striking option scouted by Chelsea, the former Celtic player could arrive as a direct replacement for Olivier Giroud.
AFP/Getty Images
January transfer targets Gedson Fernandes (Benfica) Portuguese midfielder has emerged as a target for Manchester United with his agent reportedly sighted in London for talks.
AP
January transfer targets Alfredo Morelos (Rangers) Controversial Rangers striker has been linked with a move to Newcastle.
Reuters
January transfer targets Dries Mertens (Napoli) Belgian winger is available on a cut-price deal in January, with his contract at Napoli expiring in the summer. Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan, Arsenal and Everton have all been linked.
SSC NAPOLI via Getty Images
January transfer targets Federico Bernardeschi (Juventus) With Juventus completing a £38m deal for Dejan Kulusevski, Bernardeschi could be the attacking option that makes way at the Italian champions.
January transfer targets Emre Can (Juventus) German international fumed after being left out Juventus' Champions League squad and is set to depart after falling down the pecking order.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Andreas Iniesta (Vissel Kobe) Barcelona legend has been linked with an MLS move as well as with Estudiantes in Argentina.
Getty
January transfer targets James Rodriguez (Real Madrid) Has seen his star fade dramatically yet remains one of the most skilful attacking midfielders in Europe. Everton have been linked, although it's unlikely the Colombian would take such a significant step down at this stage.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Arturo Vidal (Barcelona) Chilean is reportedly suing Barcelona over unpaid bonuses and is set to leave the club in January with Inter Milan currently leading the race for his signature.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Lautaro Martinez (Inter Milan) Inter Milan's precocious forward has been linked with Barcelona, Real Madrid as well as a number of Premier League clubs. The Serie A side's president is ready to cash in.
REUTERS
January transfer targets Danny Loader (Reading) England U17 World Cup-winner saw his deadline day move to Wolves fall through at the last minute. His contract expires in the summer and Reading may look to cash in.
Getty
January transfer targets Adrien Rabiot (Juventus - loan) French midfielder has seen his game time extremely limited under Maurizio Sarri and has been linked with a loan move.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Che Adams (Southampton - loan) Out-of-sorts striker has failed to deliver since joining Southampton in the summer and could be set for a loan move back to the Championship.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Dani Olmo (Dinamo Zagreb) A number of clubs in Spain and England have been linked with the exciting 21-year-old winger.
Getty Images
January transfer targets Nathan Ferguson (West Brom) Teenage defender is one of the most promising talents in the Championship and has been scouted by a host of Premier League clubs. The latest off the WBA production line.
WBA FC via Getty Images
January transfer targets Eberechi Eze (QPR) A brilliant playmaker in the Championship, Eze has already scored 10 goals from midfield this season and attracted interest from Tottenham and Sheffield United.
Getty
January transfer targets Isco (Real Madrid) Spanish midfielder continues to be linked with a move away from the Bernabeu, with Chelsea among a number of clubs to consider the 27-year-old.
Getty
January transfer targets Marcos Rojo (Manchester United) Everton had a bid rejected for the centre-back in the summer, however, United are now ready to let the Argentine go after the emergence of Axel Tuanzebe as back-up.
AP
January transfer targets Patrick Cutrone (Wolves) Wolves are reportedly considering cutting their losses with the 21-year-old striker who's struggled since his move from AC Milan.
Getty Images
January transfer targets James Maddison (Leicester) The attacking midfielder continues to draw interest from Manchester United, who are desperately searching for a creative force this window.
Getty Images
The Norwegian had previously been confident they could achieve top four this season without any new signings, but that is under consideration, and there will be more meetings at the club over the next week.
“Of course it is playing on our decision making when we have two players out – Paul for a month and Scott for two,” Solskjaer said after the defeat at the Emirates.
“That will give us less options and we have loads of games and important games, but still it has to be right and that is the big point.
“If it’s available and if it’s possible we will do something, definitely. We are looking at one or two.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments