‘Expected to Join’—Man Utd Identify Priority Transfer for January

Manchester United are reportedly planning to bring in a new midfielder as early as 2026, with the quality of potential candidates varying significantly. This move comes after the club's substantial spending in the summer of 2025, where they invested approximately £216 million on five first-team additions, primarily focusing on a new frontline including Benjamin Šeško, Bryan Mbeumo, and Matheus Cunha, along with securing goalkeeper Senne Lammens who rejected Aston Villa. Despite these signings, the midfield area remained unaddressed, with only backup fullback Diego León brought in.

Fabrizio Romano claims that United will bolster their midfield with at least one recruit in 2026. The club was heavily linked with Brighton & Hove Albion's Carlos Baleba during the summer but was deterred by an asking price exceeding £100 million. While interest in Baleba persists, it is doubtful that United will pursue him due to the high cost, as only two players in football history have commanded such fees in January transfers. Instead, United are considering more affordable alternatives, such as Morten Hjulmand from Sporting CP, who is not expected to demand a similar sum, though Sporting is known for tough negotiations, as evidenced by Arsenal's experience with Viktor Gyökeres.

Additionally, United have shown interest in Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, but Palace's manager Oliver Glasner has demonstrated a reluctance to sell key players, as seen in the Marc Guéhi situation. This indicates potential challenges in securing any midfield target, with negotiations likely to be complex and costly.