Laurie Whitwell's article on the Athletic UK:

https://theathletic.com/5161990/2024/01/02/manchester-united-transfer-news-january/


What do we know about who the targets might be?

After Odion Ighalo in 2020 and Weghorst last year, United might squeeze out another low-cost loan up top. In that bracket comes Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, the 34-year-old Bayern Munich forward. He has made 19 appearances this season, but mainly as a substitute with Harry Kane leading the line, and United might be tempted to ask the question.

Thomas Muller, also 34, is another Bayern player out of the team whom United have watched, although he recently signed a contract extension.

Contact has also been made to check on the potential cost of RB Leipzig's Timo Werner, who has scored twice in eight Bundesliga games this season. Werner was on United’s radar before he moved to Chelsea in 2020.

United are keeping an eye on the market for that kind of ready-made striker.
Should United get any money from a sale, they might decide to invest in Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy, who has been banging them in this season. Guirassy reportedly has a release clause of £15.2million, which is cheap, but about £15.2million more than United have room for in terms of FFP.

There is also the consideration that Guirassy is 27 and has not hit form like this before in his career. He also represents Guinea and is set to be at the African Cup of Nations in January.


Who makes the key decisions about signings?

Although INEOS will to take charge of football operations at United, giving it oversight of incomings and outgoings, the current structure is overseen by Murtough.

Director of scouting Steve Brown organises the database of targets and will feed information into the process. Matt Hargreaves is the club’s head of transfer negotiations and will go over the numbers with selling clubs and incoming players. Ten Hag, as would be expected, has an influential voice.


How much money is likely to be available?

Not a lot, if anything at all.

Like in January 2023, United need to be cautious and are acutely aware of the possibility of breaching FFP rules. Their cash reserves — as per their financial accounts for the year ended June 2023 — are also down to £76million, although there is still £40million available to spend on their revolving credit facility.
If United were able to shift on big earners for a notable fee, such as Jadon Sancho, then that may create some wiggle room for them to play with in terms of adding to the squad.

Sancho has not played for United since August 26.

It is fair to wonder if INEOS’ investment will result in a boost to the club’s transfer kitty, but Ratcliffe’s deal to purchase 25 per cent of United still has to be ratified by the Premier League, which could take up to eight weeks from announcement, so there will not be any immediate benefit on that front.

Ratcliffe has committed to investing $300m of his own money into the club — the first $200m of which will be paid upon the closing of the transaction — and while that cash injection is primarily ring-fenced for infrastructure work, the SEC documents state it can be put towards the club’s “ordinary course of business” if required, perhaps eventually meaning transfers. But this will not happen in time for January.

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