Man United 'make contact' with £25m bargain Liverpool target who could solve midfield issues - report
Both Manchester United and Liverpool are keen on the same player for a potential January transfer.
Man United are heading into the January transfer window without anymore obvious transfer needs mid-season, based on how well Ruben Amorim’s side have performed so far this campaign. They could climb up to third with a win against Everton on Monday night, which would be a real show of intent, but they would need other results to go their way on Saturday and Sunday.
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The Red Devils are expected to spend big on a holding midfielder, but not until the summer transfer window, due to the high cost of their targets such as Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton. However, they could opt to bring in a cheaper option in January to add extra depth.
This will be very important too during the Africa Cup of Nations, as Bryan Mbuemo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui will all be unavailable, potentially up until late January, which would be a huge loss for Amorim.
Man United ‘make contact’ for £25m Liverpool target
AZ Alkmaar midfielder Kees Smit has been generating a lot of transfer interest as of late, as he has become one of the better central players in the Eredivisie. The 19-year-old has made 19 appearances for AZ this season, scoring two goals and providing four assists. He already has extensive experience in the Eredivisie and also in the Europa Conference League.
Man United have been linked to the Dutchman, alongside Premier League rivals Liverpool, but now, according to Caught Offside, Man United have made contact for Smit over a potential January transfer move.
It is understood that AZ didn’t want to sell him initially, but they have warmed to the idea, and would like at least £25m in transfer fees to get a deal done, something that Man United could easily get done in the January window.
The midfielders’ current contract at AZ expires in 2028, but the Dutch club are accepting of the fact that they will have to cash in on him at some point due to the extensive interest in him.
Kees Smit could be the ideal Gallagher alternative
Man United are clearly wanting a central midfielder, who can also play as an attacking option, as they have now been linked to two, with Smit and former Chelsea star Conor Gallagher.
The Atletico Madrid star was a target in the summer, but Man United wanted a loan deal, and Madrid wanted a permanent sale. Reports have said that the Red Devils could go in for a loan for Gallagher again, as he is reportedly unsettled at Atletico, and so we could see him return to the Premier League.
However, if Atletico suggest the same and say they don’t want to loan him out, Man United could go after Smit instead, as the two midfielders both play very similar roles, and are a similar level of versatility. Smit has much less experience, but at the age of 19, his potential is sky high, which could draw United to the Dutchman instead.