Manchester United are reportedly already looking to replace one star whom Rúben Amorim signed this year amid their interest in Antoine Semenyo.
Manchester United are drawing up plans for their 2025 January transfer window as Rúben Amorim looks to continue his rebuild.
After adding several players to their attacking ranks in the summer, the club are starting to look toward improving their midfield and adding further quality on the flanks, with a list of possible targets being drawn up.
Several reports have suggested that United have put themselves firmly in the race for Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo, who has a £65 million release clause. However, Manchester City, Liveprool, and Tottenham are known admirers, too.
The club have also been linked with a possible move for former Wolves midfielder and Portugal international Rúben Neves, with his current side Al-Hilal open to selling for around £20 million.
United want a replacement for Dorgu
Amorim’s first transfer after joining the club was a move to sign Patrick Chinazaekpere Dorgu from Lecce for a fee of around £25 million plus a further £5 million in add-ons in January 2025.
After Dorgu spent much of his early career playing as a winger in the Serie A, the United boss brought in the 21-year-old to become his new first-choice left wing-back as the side transitioned to a back-three from Erik ten Hag’s previous back-four.
However, amid Amorim’s recent formation tinkering and Dorgu failing to prove himself in attack, CaughtOffside report that the club are already looking for an upgrade.
“It’s no secret that he has had a difficult time at United,” a United source told the publication. “Coming in as a starter…it was too soon for him. They’ll be looking at that position, for sure.”
Newcastle star touted as possible option
Amid the links to Semenyo, it’s been touted that Amorim could be eyeing the use of Semenyo as a left wing-back ahead of Dorgu to replicate the damage Amad does on the right flank.
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However, CaughtOffside’s report puts a different spin on the Dorgu replacement claim, suggesting that the possible signing of Semenyo isn’t related to a replacement for the Denmark international, but in addition to it.
It’s stated that Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown and Newcastle starlet Tino Livramento are both names to watch, and with Amorim currently trialling a back four instead of his previously used back five, signing a more traditional full-back, alongside Semenyo as an option, could make sense.
However, signing a new left wing-back could be a priority that’s pushed until the summer window.
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