03 Jan 2014 16:22:39
Summary of where things are right now:

{Ed002's Note - Defenders

Baines – I really don’t see the club returning with an offer anywhere near what is wanted by Everton.

Coentrao - Manchester United, Monaco and Juventus have already spoken with Madrid about Coentrao and Spurs have shown an interest. However, Real Madrid have asked the player to stay until the end of the season and I expect him to agree.

Garay – Napoli and Manchester United remain interested.

Ghoulam - Atletico Madrid, Udinese and Genoa have shown an interest in St Et's Ghoulan but it is Roma or Torino who look like they are best placed to complete a deal. I am not aware of any interest from Liverpool and the reason that the transaction is not yet completed is more likely that the player is unsure whether a move to Turin would be an improvement for him and he is considering Roma. Both AC Milan and Manchester United could step in with an offer.

Moreno - I think it unlikely that Alberto Moreno will be sold in the January transfer window. The full release clause for Spanish clubs is being asked by Sevilla and that has so far put off interest from Chelsea, Cardiff, Spurs and Real Madrid. Manchester United may well be one of the clubs that has also had him looked at.}

Sandro – Whilst Manchester United would be interested in Alex Sandro, they will likely not want to pay even half of the fee being asked.

Shaw - Chelsea has been trying for two years to persuade Southampton to sell Shaw to them, with interest also being shown by Spurs. Manchester United would not likely want to pay the sort of fee that will be asked and I suspect will not look for a deal in Jnauary.

Zouma - Inter, Napoli, Manchester City and Chelsea remain interested in Zouma. Arsenal and Manchester United looked at Zouma previously and may show further interest. His price makes him an attractive proposition.

Midfield Players

Bender - Bayern Leverkusen's Lars Bender has been a player watched by Arsenal and others, including Manchester United, for some time. However, a move in January seems very unlikely to me after he signed a new contract - but I do think that maybe the interest of Arsenal remains.

Cabella - Cabella has been of interest to a number of clubs this past summer including Newcastle, Arsenal, Marseille, Atalanta, Dortmund and Sampdoria. Only l'OM has put anything on the table and the player said in the summer that he wants to stay at Montpellier but is aware that may not be possible. I suspect Manchester United like others may have had someone take a look at him but Montpellier are not aware of specific interest as far as I know and would not want to sell for anything but a very significant fee circa the €18M that matches a termination clause inserted in his contract renewal.

Fischer - Viktor Fischer is subject to interest from Milan, Manchester United, Manchester City, Roma and Werder Bremen. Ajax has negotiated a new contract with him and I would not expect a move in January.

Gundogan - It looked like Gundogan would be sold this past summer and there was interest from Rubin Kazan and Manchester City. However, with Goetze going a season before expected, Dortmund were always going to look to keep the player and are looking to negotiate a new deal with him. It had been suggested that Manchester United would try and strike a deal for the player this past summer that is not activated until next summer - that always seemed unlikely to me. Both Barcelona and Arsenal spoke with his agent but made no approach to Dortmund. Enquiries to his club have been made by Chelsea and Real Madrid. The summer may well see interest from Old Trafford.

Herrera - Herrera gave an interview saying that he was humbled by the offer made in the summer by Manchester United but Bilbao is his club and by rejecting the offer they have shown they wish to keep him. I don’t see anything happening.

Koke - Barcelona held talks with Atletico Madrid about Koke and Chelsea was also discussed in terms of being part of a possible part exchange deal with a Chelsea player. Manchester United maintain an interest in him, as do Bayern Munich and I am told that Manchester City have also had Koke watched recently. However, chances of a move in January must be slim and dependent on Atletico recruiting a replacement – they want Toni Kroos.

Lallana - I cannot see Southampton agreeing to any sale of Lallana in January but understand Manchester United would be interested if he were available.

Matic - Dortmund, Real Madrid, Napoli, and Chelsea are interested in Matic - but not at the given fee. Manchester United have had the player watched on several occasions but would likely baulk at the fee being asked. A move in January is possible as Benfica are looking for some income - but be clear it is possible not probable. I suspect Dortmund may push if something were possible in January.

Rakitic - The long term interest in Rakitic is from Lazio where he was expected to move in the summer. Personally I do not see him moving in January but PSG, Chelsea, Manchester United, Lazio and perhaps Liverpool would be interested if he were available at a sensible price.

Vidal - Manchester United would like to make a deal with Juventus for Vidal but agreeing an acceptable fee might be more difficult than anyone thinks.


Forwards

Di Maria - I think chances of Di Maria moving in January are very slim unless a high bid is made. He is apparently happy at Real Madrid this season (something of a first) and they are happy with him. Manchester United and Arsenal could be interested – probably not PSG now.

Cerci – Arsenal, Juventus and Manchester United have recently looked. But I don’t see anything happening in January.

Gaitan - My understanding is that Manchester United and PSG did speak with Benfica about Gaitan last January but no bid was made as the asking price was seen to be far too high. Interest from Bayer Leverkusen and Arsenal will have waned. I understand that Benfica had an approach from Anzhi for Gaitan but the player has made it clear he has not any interest in talking to them - and they will by now have no further interest. Else, I understand that the interest still remains from Manchester United and PSG, but not at the price being asked. He would have been allowed to move this summer but Benfica did not drop their price, so nothing happened. Napoli, Manchester United and Spurs would need to talk with Benfica to progress anything in January.

Konoplyanka - Konoplyanka was subject to two significant offers this past summer - from Galatasaray and Zenit - both of which were been turned down. I expect to see Benfica and Arsenal make a bid in January, and possibly Fiorentina, Juventus, Spurs, Manchester United, Schalke and Dortmund to look to the player.


Kids

Adryan Tavares - Whilst here was previously interest shown in Adryan Tavares by Real Madrid, AC Milan Porto and Manchester United agrement has been reached for him to join Cagliari on an 18 month contract.

Dembele - This is the Fulham kid. It will be difficult to do anything before he is 18 of course but I do know that there has been interest shown in him by a number of clubs including Manchester United and another EPL side who had their French based scout take a look. I would suspect the summer would be a more likely time to move given age and contracts.

Halilovic - Dinamo Zagreb's Halilovic has previously attracted the attention of many of Europe's leading side including Real Madrid (who have had an offer turned down), Inter, Spurs, Juventus, Ajax, Manchester United, Manchester City and Arsenal. Barcelona, Inter, Spurs and Manchester City are certainly interested but I think a move to England in January is unlikely. A slim chance of a move to Bayern Munich or Barcelona exists.

Kenedy - the short version about Kenedy is that Real Madrid and Manchester United are following the "wonderkid" trail with him but it is thought his future needs to be in Brazil with perhaps a season at Sporting Lisbon in two years (this has been discussed apparently). There are various other updates but none are really relevant right now.


Possibly Leaving

Buttner – options in Italy but unless a left back arrives it seems unlikely.

Hernandez - Manchester United's Hernandez turned down a move to Valencia in the summer but still has Monaco, Spurs and Atletico Madrid interested. A representative of the player did discuss his potential availability with two other clubs in the summer but neither were interested.

Nani - I am informed that the interest in Nani is still there from Galatasaray, Juve and Kuban Krasnodar are also interested but the player is reluctant to consider a Russian club at this time.


Outside Chance

Marcel Schmelzer

1.) 03 Jan 2014
Thanks for doing this Ed. Great to get an insight into who United are looking at.

2.) 03 Jan 2014
Christmas came late! Thank You Santa.

3.) 03 Jan 2014
Thank u ed :-)

4.) 03 Jan 2014
Superb work Ed 002. Thanks. Doesn't sound too promising, Vidal if we really push the boat out but will the board sanction a large bid?

Perhaps the loanees will be coming back at the end of the month!

5.) 03 Jan 2014
Cheers Ed, great to get some actual insight!

6.) 03 Jan 2014
Thanks for this Ed! Its an absolute gold mine and the reason I love this site!

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}

7.) 03 Jan 2014
Thanks Ed. Regarding the kids, any info on the DM report that we are interested in Chris Willock?

{Ed002's Note - Sorry I can't help with young kiddies.}

8.) 03 Jan 2014
Also, what about Anderson Ed? How is he still here :(

9.) 03 Jan 2014
Graet update. Looks like Konoplyanka will have half of europe bidding or at least looking at him:)

10.) 03 Jan 2014
Great work and thank you very much. I still prefer my dream of Vidal, Sandro or Moreno and Mata better lol :).

11.) 03 Jan 2014
Thank you very much Ed002. A great read as to who we and other teams are looking at! Very interesting

12.) 03 Jan 2014
Thanks ed, wonder if juve wanting nani would help the vidal bidding? Hope so

13.) 03 Jan 2014
Cheers ed002, great info.
Dream ins and outs
out - buttner, nani, young, anderson
ins - baines, lallana, reus or draxler, vidal, gundogan, and koke.

Please football gods I promise to be good if you make this happen!

14.) 03 Jan 2014
Thanks for great update Ed; the efforts of all the Ed's is very much appreciated.
I do think to finish top four we need to sign at least two from the list.

15.) 03 Jan 2014
Even one decent signing could make a huge difference.

A central midfielder who poses a real threat going forwards would help create chances in the games when we're on top, which we haven't done enough. They'd also help defensively by forcing opposing midfielders back.

At the moment, opposing midfielders push forwards freely because they know our midfielders aren't an attacking threat. This doesn't happen as much when Giggs plays, because he is more of a threat, but he doesn't have the legs to make the most of it.


Ed, I notice you didn't mention Freddy Guarin, was that link pure paper talk then?

{Ed004's Note - Apparently so}

16.) 03 Jan 2014
03 Jan 2014 20:53:55
Cheers ed, it gives us a great insight. Thanks for your time.

17.) 03 Jan 2014
Thanks a lot ed. Really appreciate you giving time for this.

18.) 03 Jan 2014
Thanks for the top work ed. Your effort is much appreciated.

From what you're saying we probably won't be buying anyone because once again we don't like the prices.

What are we waiting for. Vidals and Kokes on sale at £3.50?

{Ed002's Note - Nobody wants to over pay.}

19.) 03 Jan 2014
Thanks Ed!

So it's all positive news then.

20.) 03 Jan 2014
Hey Ed thanks for taking the time to go so in depth on the players linked.

Do I take it from what you said that in your opinion that if a deal is to be done in January for any player that you think the only possible transfers would be Vidal at the right price?

I think they should give whatever nec to sign Vidal throw Nani in as a sweetner! He is class!

21.) 03 Jan 2014
Top effort!

22.) 04 Jan 2014
Excellent analysis ED 002. You didn't mention Mata, Modric or Sneijder. Is that because any speculation is just too far fetched to warrant attention?

23.) 04 Jan 2014
Cheers Ed002. What Domenico Criscito at lb? there's a few rumours we may go for him if other targets fail

{Ed002's Note - Twitter is this?}

24.) 04 Jan 2014
Thanks so much for that Ed002. Options on L/B seem limited which is worrying.

I agree with CAM, we need at least two from that list. With Juve's interest in Nani, I agree with dustbin and Macman, we should go all out to get Vidal. He is exactly what we need. No club wants to pay over the odds, but what if we finish 5th? How much would that cost? Normally we can wait until summer, but this window is different. We are unlikely to finish 4th with the current squad. Vidal and a left back who can actually defend, and things could change very quickly. If we don't finish in the top four, it will be so much harder to attract top players.

25.) 04 Jan 2014
Ed002, thanks for summing everything up for us. You say no club wants to pay over the odds for a player and I get that, but do you think the club may be a little more flexible than usual given the position we are in right now? Thanks again.

{Ed002's Note - No. Why would the club pay millions over the odds?}

26.) 04 Jan 2014
Ed002, perhaps to get the best players signed so that a top four place can be achieved. I know there's no guarantees, but spending an extra few million on a vitally important player could mean the difference in finishing 4th or 5th. The club will lose a significant amount if we do not make the top four this season. central midfield is our obvious weakness. No club likes to pay over the odds for a player, but it does happen and sometimes desperate times calls for desperate measures.

{Ed002's Note - That is not how it works Syd.}

27.) 04 Jan 2014
Ed, I'd have thought utd aren't in much of a position to be worried about value for money.

if for example, we could buy Vidal for £50 mill but we 'value' him at £40 mill, are you seriously suggesting we should say no to the deal?

{Ed002's Note - No Andrew, I am saying that clubs will not want to be paying over the odds. People seem to play their football manager games and expect real life to be the same. It isn't.}

28.) 04 Jan 2014
Ed002, just for the record I don't play computer games, well perhaps chess against the computer ;) Teams do pay over the odds though. We used to do it. Berbatov, Ferdinand and Veron were probably all more expensive than they were valued at.

I wouldn't expect us to do it for every signing, but when a very good player comes available that plays in a position we desperately need strengthening and are struggling to strengthen, surely common sense should prevail and the club should pay what it takes.

Anyway I think it's clear that will not happen under the current ownership anytime soon, but it would silence a few critics. The majority being on this page ;)

{Ed002's Note - I understand that Berbatov may be available Syd. Would you pay £15M for him now?}

29.) 04 Jan 2014
As long as we can still turn a profit and keep within FFP we should overpay to stay at the top. The Glazers owe us that much.

{Ed002's Note - This is why we don't talk about finances.}

30.) 04 Jan 2014
Sorry ed, just noticed the tone of my last post was a bit stronger than I intended; I think Sydney made our point better.

Of course all clubs want to pay as little as possible but for a club in Utds position, the price of a top quality midfielder becomes almost irrelevant given our desperate need.

Its like a millionaire dying of thirst in the desert haggling over the price of water.

Fabragas was a great example of how not to buy a top player. A top bid of £35 mil was never going to secure that deal but I bet £45 - £50 mill would have given them a decision to make.

Given how much we could do with a Fabragas right now, would an extra £10 - £15 mill have been worth paying?

It also shows how unrealistic Utd are when it comes to valuations. The idea that Fabragas is worth a maximum of £35 million is just silly, given the prices now being paid for other players.

Finally, as fans I don't think we should give a monkey's how much a player costs. We should just expect that the biggest club in the world will bring in the best players no matter what. Utd fans pay top dollar to see their team so should expect to see the best, rather than second rate because its cheaper (Fellaini)

31.) 04 Jan 2014
By the way, I don't play computer games either :) I just know that if you pay enough money, you get what you want and that's a simple fact of life.

32.) 04 Jan 2014
I see your point Ed. But who decides what a player is worth?

{Ed002's Note - The buying club will know what they are willing to pay Syd.}

33.) 04 Jan 2014
I would imagine the buying club will take account of these sort of factors when making their valuation, so the valuation is probably already higher than it would normally be. But it will also take into account that any signing will not guarantee a top 4 finish.

The fact that the selling clubs valuations are in many cases, still higher, reflects both the silliness of the current market and the fact that January is a bad time to buy, because the selling club has to take into account the effects of losing a top player mid-season.

34.) 04 Jan 2014
Ed02 I asked u last week if you would do this, would just to genualy say thank you it really is appreciated and an excalted piece

{Ed002's Note - Thanks.}

35.) 05 Jan 2014
Great post ed i'm a big fan of the site keep up the good work

36.) 06 Jan 2014
Thanks Ed. Much appreciated.