Man United add 'Xabi Alonso 2.0' to midfield transfer shortlist alongside Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba
Man United have been linked to midfielders Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton ahead of the January transfer window.
Heading into the winter, Manchester United’s midfield position has been a point of concern in the early part of the season, with Ruben Amorim struggling to find a regular option to play alongside Bruno Fernandes in the centre-midfield in Amorim’s 3-4-3 formation.
The United squad lacks a top-quality holding midfielder, and so it is no surprise that they have a growing shortlist of players who can play that position heading into January. United have been linked first with Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, who is expected to command a fee of over £100m.
Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton is also a target for United, but he’s expected to cost at least £60m, and other clubs, including Liverpool, are also understood to be interested in the English midfielder.
Man United add Bayern star to midfield shortlist
Wharton and Baleba have both reportedly been joined on United’s shortlist of potential midfield January transfer targets, as it has emerged that the Red Devils are showing an interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Aleksandar Pavlovic.
According to Football Insider, United are reportedly tracking the 21-year-old, who has become more of a reliable option in Vincent Kompany’s midfield. This season, he has made eight appearances in all competitions, scoring one goal in the Bundesliga too.
His best position is as a holding midfielder, and his recent form has also earned him seven international appearances for Germany. Much like Wharton and Baleba, Pavovic won’t be cheap. The 21-year-old has sky-high potential, meaning his price will only increase. Worse still, his estimated market value is already around £48m.
Current Bayern Munich President Herbert Hainer is very high on the 21-year-old, as he recently compared him to current Real Madrid manager Xabi Alonso in a recent interview. Hainer told Goal.com: “Pavlovic, with his calmness and passing accuracy, is sometimes reminiscent of the young Xabi Alonso.”
He is currently tied down at Bayern with his current contract due to run until June 2029, which could also drive his price up even more.
Which midfielder are Man United most likely to sign?
Based on all the reports and the likelihood that Bayern Munich won’t want to sell Pavlovic easily, he is an unlikely signing for the January transfer window, and more of a realistic option for the next summer much like Wharton and Baleba, who will be difficult to sign in January.
Baleba may be the most likely as it is understood that he wanted the move to United when the Red Devils were interested in the summer transfer window. Plus, his form has dipped for Brighton, and so the Seagulls may be more willing to sell the 21-year-old in January.
In terms of other midfielders, former Wolves star Ruben Neves seems a more realistic January signing, as his contract at Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal is expected to expire in the summer, meaning that the Saudi club will likely be willing to let him leave, especially considering that we are past the Club World Cup.