Manchester United January transfer window links: How likely are deals for Joao Felix, Alvaro Morata and Dusan Vlahovic?
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Updated 29/12/2022 at 12:43 GMT
Several players including Joao Felix, Alvaro Morata, Goncalo Ramos, Dusan Vlahovic and Jordan Pickford have been linked to joining Manchester United ahead of the January transfer window. But how likely is it that they will be at Old Trafford? United won’t have as much money to spend compared to the summer, but they could still make some key signings.
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Manchester United are unlikely to be as busy as they were in the summer this January, but they could still bring in a few key players.
A frantic first six months for coach Erik ten Hag saw his side bottom of the Premier League following back-to-back defeats at the start of the season, talk of the Glazer family looking to sell the club and Cristiano Ronaldo causing havoc.
Amid all of that they are fifth in the Premier League, just a point away from a top-four spot, and have a big last-32 tie in the Europa League against Barcelona.
The trio of Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro and Christian Eriksen have all proved their worth at United, while Marcus Rashford, Luke Shaw, Diogo Dalot and Fred have been given contract extensions that will see them stay beyond 2023.
Everything suggests United are on the up, and it could get even better.
Joao Felix - Atletico Madrid
With Cody Gakpo joining Liverpool, United’s attention turns to Joao Felix of Atletico Madrid.
Felix has not been happy at Atletico since falling out with manager Diego Simeone in September as the Liga side were knocked out of the Champions League just weeks later.
The departure of Ronaldo means United are looking for a forward and Felix fits the bill with his technical play.
Other clubs including Arsenal and Chelsea have the 23-year-old on their radars, though, so it’s a far from certain signing for United.
Likelihood: 7/10 – loan with option to buy
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Morata and Joao Felix (Atletico de Madrid)
Image credit: Getty Images
Alvaro Morata - Atletico Madrid
If Felix doesn’t happen for United, maybe his Atletico team-mate Alvaro Morata will. Morata scored three times for Spain at the World Cup but has been struggling at Atletico.
A loan deal is more likely for either Morata or Felix, with the option of a permanent deal at the end of the season.
Likelihood: 7/10 – loan with option to buy
Goncalo Ramos - Benfica
What about the man who replaced Ronaldo during the World Cup? Goncalo Ramos.
In one game, Ramos made a name for himself by scoring a hat-trick on his World Cup debut with Ronaldo watching on from the bench.
“We are aware we lost a striker, so I think we have to get a striker in, but it has to be the right one,” said Ten Hag.
“The right one is a player that brings quality to the team, not just adding to the squad because that only gives you problems. And, you know the criteria is high here at Manchester United.”
Likelihood: 6/10
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Gonçalo Ramos (Portugal) celebrates his third goal against Switzerland
Image credit: Getty Images
Dusan Vlahovic - Juventus
A name that was linked to United at the start of December was Dusan Vlahovic but interest seems to have faded in recent days as Arsenal and Chelsea look to sign the Juventus star.
Vlahovic has scored 16 goals in 2022 and the demise of Juventus will surely lead the Serbian to changing club.
He’s a big talent at 22 years old but will come at a cost of around £80m, according to reports. The player wants to go as he isn’t happy with Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri but the club want to keep him.
After all, Vlahovic only joined Juventus 11 months ago on a four-and-a-half-year contract for £66.6m from Fiorentina.
Likelihood: 5/10
Stefan de Vrij - Inter Milan
In defence, Martinez has done a brilliant job despite his sceptics but United could still do with another top centre back.
Stefan de Vrij is the player they have been linked with as his contract at Inter Milan expires in June.
It’s more likely United will wait until the summer, especially if they are spending big in other areas. Don’t expect too many, if any, additions in defence for the next six months.
Likelihood: 3/10 – more likely in the summer
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Stefan de Vrij
Image credit: Getty Images
Jordan Pickford - Everton
It’s a similar story for United between the sticks with Jordan Pickford one of the favourites to move across the road to Manchester.
United are likely to sell Dean Henderson to bring another goalkeeper in who can provide competition to David de Gea.
Likelihood: 2/10 – more likely in the summer
Yann Sommer - Borussia Monchengladbach
Switzerland goalkeeper Yann Sommer is expected to leave Borussia Monchengladbach when his contract expires at the end of the season.
United are looking to get their hands on Sommer in the summer so De Gea will still be the outright No. 1 until at least mid-2023.
Likelihood: 2/10 – more likely in the summer
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