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Three players Manchester United could sign during the January transfer window

Sports Mole looks at three players that Manchester United could target during the January transfer window.

Manchester United made six signings during the summer transfer window, with Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez, Casemiro, Antony and Martin Dubravka arriving at Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are believed to be planning moves during the January market, though, with the club's head coach Erik ten Hag revealing last week that transfer meetings would take place this month.

Man United are thought to want a right-back, a creative midfielder and a forward as part of the next phase of their rebuild, with a number of players leaving over the summer.

With that in mind, Sports Mole identifies one player in each of the three positions that the 20-time English champions could potentially target when the January market opens for business.


Hamari Traore (Rennes)

Rennes defender Hamari Traore pictured in March 2022© Reuters

Hamari Traore was linked with Barcelona in the latter stages of the summer transfer window, as the Catalan outfit looked to boost their options at right-back, but it was Hector Bellerin that ultimately moved to Camp Nou.

The 30-year-old could allegedly be available for as little as €3m (£2.5m), as his contract is due to expire at the end of the season, and Rennes are reluctant to lose him for nothing.

The right-back has made 212 appearances for the French club since making the move from Reims in July 2017, contributing five goals and 22 assists in the process.

This term, the Mali international has contributed one assist in nine appearances, captaining his French outfit in all but one of their nine outings in all competitions this term.

Man United are said to want competition for Diogo Dalot at right-back, and a move for Traore in January could allow the unwanted Aaron Wan-Bissaka to leave Old Trafford in search of pastures new.


Youri Tielemans (Leicester City)

Leicester City's Youri Tielemans reacts on March 10, 2022© Reuters

Youri Tielemans was strongly linked with a move away from Leicester over the summer, but the transfer window closed with the Belgium international remaining at the King Power Stadium.

The midfielder is out of contract next June, though, and it is incredibly difficult to imagine him signing an extension, so a January exit is more than a possibility.

A recent report claimed that Man United had identified Tielemans as the ideal player to share the creative midfield role with Christian Eriksen at the club this season.

The 25-year-old has proven himself as a strong Premier League performer since his arrival from Monaco, making 126 appearances in England's top flight, contributing 18 goals and 20 assists in the process.

Leicester would not be in a position to demand a high fee for the Belgian, and he could end up being one of the biggest bargains of the January transfer window considering his age, experience and quality.


Memphis Depay (Barcelona)

Memphis Depay in action for Barcelona in March 2022© Reuters

Memphis Depay was linked with a return to Man United in the latter stages of the summer transfer window before it was confirmed that he would be remaining at Barcelona.

The 28-year-old's contract at Camp Nou is due to expire next June, though, and he is seemingly not in the plans of Barcelona head coach Xavi moving forward.

The Dutchman, who moved to Camp Nou on a free transfer last year, scored 13 times and contributed two assists in 38 appearances for his Catalan club last term.

Memphis has only played twice this term, though, with a number of players ahead of him in the pecking order, and he will almost certainly leave in January or at the end of his contract.

The Netherlands international previously represented Man United between 2015 and 2017 but only managed seven goals in 53 appearances for the Red Devils.

Memphis has impressed since leaving Manchester, though, and also boasts 42 goals in 80 caps for his country, while his ability to play as a centre-forward would surely make him an attractive signing for Ten Hag's side.

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Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag on July 31, 2022
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