Manchester United Transfer News: 4 Players Linked In Latest January Rumors

For the first time since the retirement of Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United went to the top of the Premier League courtesy of a 3-0 win over Sunderland on Saturday. It is a far cry from the uncertain days of the end of the transfer window, when the club’s activity was strongly and understandably questioned. After almost £250 million spent in the 15 months since Louis van Gaal took charge, one of the world’s richest clubs is now back in the position their owners will feel they belong.

Still, staying there until the end of the season and going on to compete into the latter stages of the Champions League is another matter entirely. And Van Gaal will be the first to acknowledge that there is still plenty of work to do. Thus it is a real possibility that there could be more money being spent once the transfer window reopens in January.

One of the areas Van Gaal is now reportedly looking to strengthen is at left-back. Luke Shaw had started the season strongly in the role, but will now miss at least six months and quite possibly longer after suffering a broken leg two weeks ago. Already linked with West Ham’s Aaron Cresswell and Leeds United youngster Charlie Taylor, the Daily Mirror now claims that United are pursuing Charlton Athletic’s Morgan Fox.

The Wales Under-21 international was called up to the senior Welsh squad for the first time earlier this month on the back of a strong start to the season in England’s Championship. Fox is also said to be interesting Aston Villa, Newcastle and West Ham, but Charlton are working hard to try and keep the 22-year-old by presenting him with a new deal.

The rest of the rumors surrounding Manchester United in recent days appear considerably more speculative. Citing a story in the Netherlands, Metro has reported that United are ready to make a £29.4 million offer for Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu. It is not the first time that the Turkey international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and after scoring four goals in nine appearances, it is not difficult to envisage some of Europe’s top clubs being interested. One of the world’s premier free-kick specialists, the 21-year-old was signed from Hamburg in the summer of 2014. Still, it is not clear where he would currently fit into United’s midfield.

That same doubt exists surrounding Manchester United’s supposed interest in talented Lyon youngster Nabil Fekir. The Daily Express has a story citing reports that United are eager to land to 22-year-old attacking midfielder. Fekir was one of the stars of Ligue 1 last season and started this campaign in similarly impressive fashion, netting four times in as many appearances.

Yet it would take a massive fee to prize him away from Lyon and it is hard to imagine United opting to pay that given that the player is currently out with cruciate ligament injury suffered in his first start for France earlier this month.

Elsewhere, the Daily Star has reported that Manchester United are vying with Chelsea for Dutch teenager Tahith Chong. The 15-year-old winger is currently on the books of Feyenoord, but will be able to leave when he turns 16 at the beginning of December. Liverpool have also been credited with an interest in the past.