Man Utd 'finalising agreement' with Ligue 1 star as talks are 'progressing favourably' - report

Manchester United got back to winning ways in their latest Premier League outing as they defeated Newcastle United 1-0 at Old Trafford on Friday night.

The Red Devils are missing several players due to injury and international commitments due to the African Cup of Nations and will be hoping to get through the upcoming period with as many wins as possible. Ruben Amorim’s side face Wolves on Tuesday night in their final game of 2025, with the January transfer window open from Thursday.

United are expected to be active in the market but big-money deals are unlikely after a £200m-plus outlay during the summer.

Amorim’s side are contenders for a European spot and are only three points outside top four after 18 games and cannot be counted out of the race for a Champions League spot. There will be a more acute awareness of the importance of getting any transfer business right as they push for a return to European football.

Man Utd ‘finalising salary agreement’ with AFCON star

According to Africa Foot, one name United are looking at is Malian international Lassine Sinayoko who currently plays his club football in Ligue 1 with Auxerre. He has been a part of the set-up at the French outfit since 2017, playing for the club’s B Team between 2017 and 2021 and then making his professional debut in April 2021.

He is currently at AFCON with Mali.

United are said to be finalising an agreement over personal terms with talks ‘progressing favourably’ with the hopes of getting a deal done when the January window opens. The 26-year-old is out of contract this summer and could be viewed as a low-risk option to try and bolster Amorim’s attacking options for the second half of the season.

His contract situation means that he would be available for a cut-price transfer fee.

He is not a prolific goalscorer, however, with just 25 goals and 23 assists in 159 appearances for Auxerre. It remains to be seen if United would look to pursue a final agreement as they assess their options in the market.

What Ruben Amorim has said about potential Man Utd transfer business

Joshua Zirkzee is being strongly linked with an exit from United this January, and his future could have a big say on what else the Red Devils do in terms of incomings.

“It's going to be hard for someone to leave the club if we don't get a substitution," manager Amorim said recently of potential transfer exits. "We are short. Even with the full squad we are short for something that can happen.

"We are a club with a big responsibility. We are dealing with all these issues and in [the media's] heads, in my head, in everybody's head, we need to win every game. It doesn't matter. There are no excuses.”