It’s January, the transfer window is open, and thus it’s time to talk Manchester United transfer rumors. We begin with Paris Saint- Germain winger Lucas Moura, a versatile player who can also be featured in other positions.
There have been reports indicating that PSG are looking to make some sales in January, and obviously, it wouldn’t be the worst idea ever for the French giants to do so. Having spent so much money on Neymar and Kylian Mbappe, some cash infusions from the winter transfer market can only help.
United are reportedly the favorite to sign Moura, as the odds of his making an Old Trafford move are being slashed.
The Manchester Evening News writes:ย
“According to online bookmakersย BetStarsย the Reds are now 6/4 frontrunners to sign the tricky attacker.ย The 25-year-old has been increasingly linked with a move away from the Parc de Princes after falling down the pecking order with the Ligue 1 leaders.”
Another story on Moura is provided by Metro who point out that: “Lucas joined the club for ยฃ38million in 2012 after choosing Paris over Old Trafford but heโs valued at roughly half that now.”
Moura has seen his playing time diminish substantially, to the point that it really is in his best interest to move on. However, the Metro report goes on to say that the Ligue 1 juggernaut are only looking for a permanent deal, not a loan move.
Barcelona manager Ernesto Valverde has dismissed the transfer narratives linking central defender Samuel Umtiti with the two Manchester clubs.
โIโm not worried about what clubs might or might not do,โ Valverde said. โUmtiti is a great player and we expect him to stay at Barca for many more years and for him to enjoy his football with us.โ
However, Valverde also discussed the defenderโs buyout clause and how that could still trigger a potential deal.
โTo an extent, the buyout clause is made high so that you canโt buy the player, but as time goes by that fee doesnโt seem so high at all,” Valverde added. โBut the player still has to want to leave. Weโre very happy with Umtiti and Iโm sure heโs going to stay here for a very long time.โ
No one expects Juan Mata to leave United, as it is clear that he truly loves life at Old Trafford. However, his contract is up at the end of the season, with United almost certainly exercising the option for another year, should the two parties not reach an agreement ahead of time. If the Spaniard does move on, he has a potential suitor in Inter Milan.
The Daily Mirror writes that: “Inter are now watching developments closely and will be ready to move in should Mata be allowed to leave at the end of the season.”
Paul M. Banks runsย The Sports Bank.netย and TheBank.News, which is partnered withย News Now.ย Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times,ย NBC Chicago.comย andย Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly toย WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging communityย Chicago Now.
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