Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd make proven Premier League star their transfer ‘priority’ for January

Wesley Fofana Leicester

Premier League heavy-hitters Man Utd are eyeing a huge raid on an English rival in the January transfer window, according to reports.

The Red Devils have a history of signing top-class stars from other Premier League clubs. Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku joined them from Everton for £75million back in July 2017.

They also signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace for an initial £45m, although the right-back might soon be replaced. Reports suggest Man Utd could bid for Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier in 2022.

The club’s biggest domestic transfer remains the £80m capture of Harry Maguire. He was brought in from Leicester City two years ago in a world-record deal for a defender.

It looks like Man Utd officials are keen to improve Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad next year. The team’s leaky defence is set to be one area which will be bolstered.

Maguire and co have failed to keep a clean sheet since the end of August. During that time they have conceded 17 goals in all competitions.

As a result, Man Utd have made Wesley Fofana their transfer ‘priority’ ahead of next year. French source But! Football Club, who report on Fofana’s former side St Etienne, claim that the Red Devils are desperate to secure a deal for the centre-back.

He has been on their radar since last spring but the interest has now increased. Solskjaer is unimpressed with the likes of Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones. The Norwegian now wants Fofana to compete with Maguire and Raphael Varane for a starting spot in defence.

Everton to make loan approach for Manchester United's Jesse Lingard

Everton to make loan approach for Manchester United's Jesse Lingard

Everton will only be able to make a loan approach to Manchester United for Jesse Lingard in January due to financial fair play problems, with more news on Donny van de Beek and Dominic Calvert-Lewin.

Newcastle United were linked with the 20-year-old starlet earlier this month. French outlet RMC Sport wrote that the Magpies had already made contact with Fofana’s representatives over his availability.

It’s now claimed that Man Utd will match any bid made by Newcastle in January. That could set up a huge transfer race during the winter window.

One important factor which must be considered is Leicester’s willingness to sell. They will not want to lose the player for anything less than an astronomical fee.

He is viewed as an important part of the club’s future. Fofana was hugely impressive during the 2020-21 campaign, before a leg break in August ruled him out for several months.

The France U21 international is expected to return some time in 2022.


As Man Utd struggle, can Spurs, Arsenal or Leicester gatecrash the Premier League’s top four?


Solskjaer reveals Man Utd availability for Liverpool clash

Meanwhile, Solskjaer has opened up on which players will be available this weekend. The Red Devils face Liverpool in a huge clash at Old Trafford on Sunday.

At the pre-match press conference, Solskjaer said: “I’ll give everyone time, I hope I can pick from a fully fit squad, I might be without two or three. Bruno [Fernandes] might be a doubt but he’s doing everything he can to be ready.”

When asked about Jurgen Klopp’s men, Solskjaer added: “They’re on a great run of form, some individual skills that you cannot almost defend against but as a team, we have to be compact, aggressive and give every single drop of nous, knowledge, strong mindset, physical energy.

“It’s going to take everything to get results against the best teams in the world and Europe, and Liverpool are one of them.

“They’re one of the teams we’re chasing. What they’ve done the last four years is what we’re striving towards and go past them. We ended up above them last season, they had a bad spell with injuries last year but are now back to their best.”

READ MORE: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer a ‘big admirer’ of Liverpool quartet; picks Cristiano Ronaldo v Mo Salah winner