Man Utd transfer news: Kalidou Koulibaly, Milan Skriniar, Gary Cahill, Eric Bailly
Jose Mourinho plans a defensive overhaul with big names tipped to sign in January
Mourinho eyes £88m centre-back
Jose Mourinho has finally decided how to plug his leaky defence – by spending £88m on Napoli centre-back Kalidou Koulibaly.
According to Metro the beleaguered United boss has “specifically requested” the signing of Koulibaly in January.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
“The 27-year-old has established himself at the heart of Napoli’s defence with his impressive performances and has been heavily linked with a move to Barcelona,” says the paper, which adds that the Senegal international is valued at £88m by his Italian club.
Whether or not United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward sanctions such a move remains to be seen. Attempts to sign Toby Alderweireld from Spurs and Harry Maguire from Leicester for much smaller sums failed in the summer.
But £53m bid for Skriniar is rejected
Another potential target for United is Inter Milan centre-back Milan Skriniar, says The Sun. But the paper claims an offer of £53m has already been turned down by the Italian club.
The Slovakian has attracted interest from top clubs thanks to his performances in Serie A in recent seasons and Mourinho is “fond” of the 23-year-old, explains the paper.
“The Slovakia international was among centre-backs considered to bolster United's patchy defensive line over the summer,” claims the Sun, which adds Mourinho “is considering making a move for the Inter defender once the winter transfer window opens”.
But they will have to dig deep to land him with an offer of £53m already rejected.
Veterans Godin and Cahill on the radar
Yet another big name centre-back who is being monitored by United is Diego Godin of Atletico Madrid.
Despite the fact he is 32 and rejected a £20m deal to bring him to Old Trafford last summer, Mourinho is still keen on the Uruguay hard man, says the Daily Mirror.
Godin has yet to sign a new deal with Atletico and United could swoop for the veteran in the summer if talks fail.
In the meantime, the paper claims that another old timer, Gary Cahill of Chelsea, is being lined up for a loan move in January to shore up the Old Trafford defence.
Spurs and Arsenal want Bailly
United’s interest in Koulibaly is also mentioned in the Daily Record in Scotland, which says that there could be some Old Trafford exits in January to make room. To that end the paper claims that Arsenal and Spurs are sniffing around out-of-favour defender Eric Bailly.
“The Cote d'Ivoire defender - brought to Manchester United for an initial transfer fee of €35million in the summer of 2016 - has been frustrated by his recent exclusion from the first team and is unsettled at the club,” says the paper.
He was hauled off after just 19 minutes against Newcastle and has not featured for United since. But despite his troubles the paper says: “Mourinho believes the African possesses the attributes to develop into an elite defender. He would prefer not to sell an individual whose strong initial progress at Old Trafford stalled during a second season disrupted by injury and international absences.”
Everton in for Rojo...
Another United defender who could be heading for the exit is Marcos Rojo, according to Metro.
“The Argentine is yet to feature for the Red Devils this season and Jose Mourinho is happy to let him go in order to raise funds for a new centre-back in January,” says the paper.
“Rojo signed a new long-term deal with United last March but the club were simply protecting their £16million investment in the 28-year-old.”
Wolves and Everton were both interested in the player in the summer, and Everton have reportedly opened talks over a January move.
...or do they want Smalling?
It’s not Rojo that Everton want, it’s Chris Smalling, claims The Sun, which says the Toffees are hoping to pick up the England man on a free transfer this summer.
Smalling has held talks over a new deal at Old Trafford but wants £90,000 a week to stay. If a deal is not thrashed out the defender could leave for free.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Big Tech critic Brendan Carr is Trump's FCC pick
In the Spotlight The next FCC commissioner wants to end content moderation practices on social media sites
By David Faris Published
-
ATACMS, the long-range American missiles being fired by Ukraine
The Explainer President Joe Biden has authorized their use for the first time in the war
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
The bacterial consequences of hurricanes
Under the radar Floodwaters are microbial hotbeds
By Devika Rao, The Week US Published
-
Why Man United finally lost patience with ten Hag
Talking Point After another loss United sacked ten Hag in hopes of success in the Champion's League
By The Week UK Published
-
The Premier League's spending cap: levelling the playing field?
Talking Point Top clubs oppose plans to link spending to income of lowest-earning club, but rule could prevent success gap from widening
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Is a new English football regulator an own goal for the game?
Talking Point PM hails 'historic moment for football fans' but West Ham owner warns it could 'ruin' Premier League
By The Week UK Published
-
Manchester United and Mason Greenwood: duty of care or double standards?
Talking Point The 21-year-old footballer’s possible return has provoked an outpouring of dismay from supporters
By Jamie Timson Published
-
2023-2024 Premier League predictions: champions, relegation and golden boot
feature A look at the top flight talking points and pundit picks for the new season
By Mike Starling Published
-
Man City: can ‘one of the best sides in history’ win the treble?
feature Guardiola’s Premier League champions have two more trophies in their sights
By The Week Staff Published
-
Premier League: Man City vs. Arsenal predictions
feature What the pundits say about tonight’s title race showdown at the Etihad
By Mike Starling Last updated
-
Antonio Conte leaves Tottenham after ‘extraordinary’ rant at players
feature After another year without a trophy, Spurs are now searching for a new manager
By The Week Staff Published