Manchester United tentatively identify three targets for January transfer window

Manchester United do not have much money to spend in January, but have identified three targets if deals can be done.

Profit and Sustainability Rules mean the Red Devils cannot splash the cash in the upcoming transfer window unless there are outgoings.

That is possible, with the likes of Marcus Rashford up for sale and capable of bringing in significant funds.

However, until some exits are secured, it is unlikely to be a busy month in the transfer market for United, as admitted by manager Ruben Amorim.

‘We don’t have that possibility in January,’ Amorim said after defeat to Newcastle on Monday. ‘It is not the case that I am arriving here and can spend a lot of money changing all the team.

‘You know the situation so there’s not a lot of point talking about it.’

Talk about it we will, though, as Manchester United have still rustled up a list of targets for if and when they do create a transfer budget for themselves.

The Daily Mail reports that chief among those targets is Paris Saint-Germain left-back Nuno Mendes, who Amorim worked with at Sporting before he left for France.

The 22-year-old, who boasts 33 caps for Portugal, is under contract until 2026 and PSG are keen to extend his deal but reports in France suggest he is keen to move on.

A deal in January will be difficult to do as PSG are in no rush to sell and the left-back has been valued at £46m.

Also on United’s shopping list, but currently out of their reach, is Victor Osimhen who is on loan at Galatasaray from Napoli.

The prolific forward has a clause in his loan deal allowing Napoli to recall him in January and sell him if an appropriate bid is made, but the Red Devils would have to make very significant sales to be able to pull that off.

There are big-earners linked with departures, including Rashford, Casemiro, Alejandro Garnacho and summer signing Joshua Zirkzee.

A much less headline-grabbing arrival would be Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens, who has reportedly been scouted by Manchester United.

The 22-year-old has emerged as an option if current back-up ‘keeper Altay Bayindir decides to leave in January in search of regular first team football elsewhere.

The Turkey international has made just four appearances for the Red Devils since joining in September 2023 and did not convince in his last outing as United lost 4-3 to Spurs in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals earlier this month.