Man United aim to beat Arsenal and Atletico Madrid to bargain £22m La Liga midfielder in January - report
Arsenal and Manchester United are both reportedly keen on a La Liga midfielder ahead of the January transfer window.
Manchester United will be heading into the January transfer window hopeful that they can add a couple more players to help bolster Ruben Amorim’s squad. The Red Devils still have a couple of needs, with central midfield and the wing-back positions remaining a priority.
Amad Diallo has been playing as a wing-back well, but Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot and Noussair Mazraoui has been struggling for consistent form, so United could be keen to add in the wide areas in January.
In terms of midfield, the Red Devils have been linked to several holding midfielders, including Elliot Anderson at Nottingham Forest. But the England international is expected to cost over £100m, as Forest are very keen to keep hold of the 22-year-old, despite the interest in him. United may need to consider alternatives ahead of the January window.
Man United and Arsenal keen on Javi Guerra
One name that has emerged from reports in Spain is Valencia midfielder Javi Guerra, who is a much cheaper alternative than someone like Anderson. The Spanish midfielder could be available because of Valencia’s difficult financial position at the moment, and so it could provide a bargain chance for United.
According to Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo, Man United, Arsenal and Atletico Madrid are all interested in signing Guerra in the January transfer window, and, despite Valencia not wanting to sell him, it is a deal that could easily happen. The 22-year-old plays as a pure central midfielder and is a box-to-box style player; he could easily slot in alongside Bruno Fernandes in Amorim’s squad.
So far this season, Guerra has made 13 appearances for the La Liga club this season, providing two assists so far. He has a current market value of just £22m, and so could be a very cheap yet very impactful signing for the Red Devils in January.
Man United made an official approach for Anderson
Despite the reports emerging of interest in Guerra, it seems that United have already decided who their first-choice target is in the midfield. Recent reports have said that Man United have made an official approach to Nottingham Forest for the England international.
However, it will be a very difficult move to make in January, as, for one, Forest won’t want to sell him, and so they’ll place a very high price on him. Secondly, Anderson himself has European football at the City Ground, and United can’t offer him the same thing. Thirdly, United spent over £170m in the summer, so they would surely have to make some sales to afford a deal for Anderson.
With that in mind, if Man United could sign Guerra in January to add to Amorim’s midfield depth, it could help them qualify for Europe next season, and in turn, give them more financial benefits, and the lure over Forest. It could be enough to get a deal for Anderson over the line in the summer, and Guerra could be their short-term answer in midfield.