Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been confirmed as Manchester United’s new manager, for the second half of the season at least, but the Norwegian will need to do some serious shopping in next month’s transfer window if he’s to turn things around at Old Trafford.
The Daily Mirror claims that the caretaker boss will be given £50m by executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward to spend in January, with the focus on signing up a central defender and a right-sided midfielder.
Tottenham’s Toby Alderweireld could be the blocker that United try to entice north, with the Belgian likely to cost £30m, says the newspaper. But speculation that the Red Devils might make a move for Napoli’s Kalidou Koulibaly seems unlikely to be proven correct, given his £90m asking price.
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Kante on the cards?
Meanwhile, the Daily Star says that Chelsea midfielder N’Golo Kante could be another of the players pursued by Solskjaer. The Frenchman is struggling to adapt to Maurizio Sarri’s way of playing and has been criticised by the Blues’ boss of late for his inability to fit into the new Chelsea style.
That’s led to speculation that the 27-year-old could soon be surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge, and the newspaper believes a move by United in January is a distinct possibility.
French connection
TalkSPORT is also claiming that Kante is on United’s shopping list. The site says Old Trafford bosses think his presence could have a beneficial effect on French teammate Paul Pogba, who has been a shadow of his former self this season.
Making eyes at Angel?
The Daily Express is tipping Lorenzo Pellegrini and Angel Di Maria to be United targets come January.
The latter had an ill-fated spell at Old Trafford in 2014, before finding his form once again at Paris Saint-Germain. But despite flopping first time around, the Argentine winger is reportedly open to the idea of a second stint with the English side.
As for Roma’s Pellegrini, his forceful style could solve United’s problems in midfield, and the bookies have him as the favourite to be Solskjaer’s first signing.
Another name in the frame, according to the Express, is unsettled Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil, who was omitted from last night’s league cup quarter-final squad against Spurs for “tactical reasons”.
Arsenal manager Unai Emery evaded post-match questions on the German’s future, telling reporters: “My focus is analysing this match and Saturday.”
