Christopher Nkunku has emerged as a potential Manchester United target in this window as Chelsea consider making a move for United forward Alejandro Garnacho.
Talks are understood to have been held between intermediaries about a potential move to Old Trafford for Nkunku.
Chelsea do not want to sell Nkunku, but it is thought they would be tempted to do business for £70m.
He is a player United are considering but they are unlikely to meet that £70m figure.
Bayern Munich are trying to sign the player but have not been able to agree a deal.
There would be more chance of Nkunku moving to Bayern if their forward Mathys Tel was willing to move in the opposite direction in a separate deal.
Chelsea have effectively had two different starting XIs this season – one for the league, and one for Europe and cup competitions.
Nkunku has scored an impressive 11 goals in 10 European and cup appearances this term. But he has managed just two goals in 18 Premier League games, though only three of those appearances have been starts.
Meanwhile, Chelsea are also considering making a move for United forward Alejandro Garnacho.
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Sky Sports’ Melissa Reddy discusses the ongoing interest from Chelsea and Napoli in Alejandro Garnacho and explains that the young winger initially had ‘no intention of leaving Man United’ in this transfer window.
United are considering possibilities in attacking areas and what is feasible during this window given their financial restrictions.
A lot will depend on what happens with Garnacho and Marcus Rashford, given Antony’s loan move to Real Betis should be finalised this weekend.
They do not want to be left short in attack – but they also cannot afford to be overstocked.
Amorim addresses Garnacho future
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Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim doesn’t rule out Alejandro Garnacho moving to Chelsea.
Ruben Amorim addressed Garnacho’s future amid continued interest from Chelsea in the January transfer window.
Garnacho played the full 90 minutes of Man Utd’s late 2-1 win over Rangers in the Europa League on Thursday, and was one of their brightest performers as one of five changes from Sunday’s miserable defeat by Brighton.
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We’ve picked out five of Alejandro Garnacho’s best Premier League goals for Manchester United.
After the game, Amorim would not be drawn one way or the other on whether Garnacho will remain at Old Trafford beyond the end of this month, but praised his improvement since he dropped the winger for poor performance ahead of the Manchester derby just over a month ago.
“He’s playing for Manchester United,” he said when asked whether he may have played his final game for the club. “He was really important for us today. Let’s see in the next days.
“I think he’s improving in every aspect of the game. He was better today playing inside and also outside, changing positions. He’s improving the recovery position. You can see it.
“For the whole 90 minutes, he’s always there recovering and helping. Sometimes showing some frustration is really good because he wants more.”
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Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca says he is happy with the wingers in his squad despite the club’s interest in Manchester United’s Alejandro Garnacho.
Amorim also laid down a challenge for the 20-year-old to improve, adding: “I think he has potential to be so much better in every situation of the game.
“What I can say is that he understood what I was trying to do and was really clear. I just want to help him. In the end, it’s the players who do the job.”
Antony set for Real Betis medical
Antony looks set to play in LaLiga for the remainder of the season
Manchester United have given Antony permission to travel to Seville for a medical with Real Betis.
It is a straight loan for the remainder of the season with the club recovering a minimum of 84 per cent of his salary plus bonuses.
Depending on individual and team performance, United could end up making a profit on Antony’s wages – rather like they did with Jadon Sancho when he went on loan to Borussia Dortmund last season.
Antony was signed from Ajax for around £85m in the summer of 2022.
His contract is up in 2027 and includes the club-held option of a further year.
Antony has been in every squad under Ruben Amorim bar one – but has yet to start a Premier League game this season.
United want him to get regular first-team football before re-assessing his future in the summer.
What does Antony leaving on loan mean for Man Utd in the transfer market?
Manchester United’s pursuit of a left wing-back does not hinge on outgoings in this transfer window.
As Sky Sports News reported upon Amorim’s appointment, left wing-back has been circled as the priority position and was the one transfer highly likely to happen in this window regardless of the club’s situation.
Talks have been held for Patrick Dorgu, with Lecce expecting an offer from United.
Meanwhile, the club are also exploring a series of other possibilities in different positions dependent on outgoings.
Garnacho is attracting interest from Napoli and Chelsea, while Rashford said he wants a new challenge before this transfer window.
Rashford’s preference is a move to Barcelona although his hopes of a move to the Spanish club are receding with each day. Borussia Dormtund have also checked in about the conditions of a loan.
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