While the January transfer was uneventful for Manchester United, talks have already begun surrounding the Reds’ summer signings wishlist.
Manchester United did not make any new signings this January transfer window, with their focus lying on settling interim head coach Michael Carrick into his new role at Old Trafford.
Although the club didn’t make any new signings, that doesn’t mean there won’t be any. The Reds’ list of targets for the Summer is growing longer each day, with the likes of Elliott Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton all linked with the club.
Last summer saw former manager Ruben Amorim rebuild his frontline with the signings of Benjamin Sesko, Bryan Mbeumo, and Mathues Cunha, with all three players vital to the club’s recent success.
While the front line has been developed, United’s midfield has not received the same treatment. With Casemiro leaving at the end of this year’s campaign, there is no doubt that the club’s focus in the upcoming transfer window will be on reshaping the midfield.
Reports have suggested that the club have a Bundesliga star on their radar, with the hopes that history won’t repeat itself.
Bundesliga star on United’s radar
Team Talk has shared that United is looking for a budget of £200 million on new players this summer, if the team can secure their place in the Champions League. With the team on a winning streak and currently sitting fourth in the Premier League standings, the chance that the Reds will be signing big names is looking likely.
However, this doesn’t mean United will oppose bargain signings. It has been suggested that the Red Devils are in talks to bring in Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka in time for the 2026/27 season.
The German international’s contract at Munich ends this summer, and it has already been decided that he will be leaving the club as a free agent in the summer. Although Arsenal tried to make a deadline deal for Goretzka, the 30-year-old remained playing under Vincent Kompany until his contract ends.
Arsenal and United are not the only clubs interested in adding Goretzka to their rotation. FussBall Daten has reported that West Ham, Atletico Madrid and Juventus are all also interested in snatching the German player while on a free transfer.
The report shared that, ‘For clubs lacking physicality and leadership qualities in midfield, Goretzka is seen as an immediately available elite solution,’ the report has added.
‘Initial talks between his representatives and English clubs suggest that the midfielder is particularly open to a new experience abroad at this stage of his career.’
Is Goretzka worth the gamble?
While Goretzka is a fantastic talent to have as part of your squad, some concerns have arisen surrounding the player’s age, with fans of the club not wanting to repeat past mistakes.
Goretzka is now 30 years old, most definitely past his best years in terms of fitness, with Bayern recognising this, letting the defensive midfielder leave on a free, insuiating theyve recognised his best years have passed.
This situation is similar to that of former United player Bastian Schweinsteiger. Schweinsteiger joined United at 30 from Bayern in the summer of 2015. While a legend on the German side, he completely failed once he came to England. The midfielder compltley past his prime.
Schweinsteiger only made 35 appearances for United in the two years he played there before leaving to join Chicago Fire in 2017. Although Goretzka does not have a signing fee attached to him as Schweinsteiger did, wages and contract length would make it an expensive deal for the club.
The question stands on whether he is truly worth it or if United should focus its energy elsewhere, on signings that benefit the future of the Reds.
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