possible transfers for united
Just over 10 years ago, United signed Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra for a combined £12million and that would barely cover the agent's fee now.
United have shown interest in a number of defenders and here are five possible recruitments in January:
Jose Fonte (Southampton)
The managers might have changed but United were linked with another Dutch defender recently in Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk. At 25, he is at a decent age for a centre-back and has over a year's worth of Premier League experience but Jose Fonte might be the safer bet.
Fonte will be 33 when the winter window creaks open. He would be a short-term addition but he is a player Mourinho was keen on in the summer and Jorge Mendes is his agent, which is always useful. Mendes was in Manchester last week and is understood to have discussed possible transfer business with Mourinho when they met at The Lowry Hotel.
Despite his age, Fonte's stock has never been higher. The Portugal international was excellent at Euro 2016 and his leadership has helped ease another Southampton managerial transition. Fonte's contract expires in 2018, too.
Aside from his age, another reservation would be making the leap from mid-table obscurity to title challengers during a season. The unforgiving nature of United has already exposed Morgan Schneiderlin.
Aleksandar Dragovic (Bayer Leverkusen)
United's apparent interest in the Austria international actually emerged in the summer with tragicomic timing. Dragovic was sent off and conceded a penalty in their Euro 2016 opener against Hungary and missed a penalty in the 2-1 defeat to Iceland.
That did not stop him moving from Dynamo Kiev to Bayer Leverkusen in August but the 25-year-old has only featured in five of their 18 games. Mourinho was supposedly interest in Dragovic while Chelsea manager but Roman Abramovic was unwilling to sanction a 25million deal.
Fabinho (Monaco)
Another Mendes client, Fabinho's September contract renewal is unlikely to dissuade United should they settle on him as a defensive reinforcement. Mourinho deliberated fastidiously over United's squad numbers and left the number two vacant with the intention of signing a right-back to inherit it.
Beyond the resurgent Antonio Valencia, Matteo Darmian has not convinced Mourinho at right-back and Timothy Fosu-Mensah's best position is in central midfield, so strengthening there would be logical.
The caveat is Fabinho, contracted to Monaco until 2021, has primarily played in midfield this season. Monaco's Champions League progression has almost certainly scuppered the chances of a winter deal, too.
Virgil van Dijk (Southampton)
Has quietly emerged as one of the most accomplished central defenders in the Premier League, aided by Fonte's mentoring. Liverpool have shown interest in the Netherlands international and were quoted a whopping £40m. Van Dijk is contracted to Southampton until 2022 and could become the club's latest expensive export.
Schneiderlin cost United £25m and, with eminent clubs struggling to sign central defenders for prudent fees, Southampton are demanding a record United fee for a defender.
Jose Gimenez (Atletico Madrid)
The hard-nosed Uruguayan defender is only 21, is into the last 18 months of his contract and Diego Simeone included him among his elite band when he said: "I have the four best central defenders in the world."
That hyperbole might be tempered by including Stefan Savic in that quartet and Gimenez has only made two appearances for the Champions League finalists this season. Gimenez has not regained his place since he was sent off in the Champions League semi-final at Bayern Munich and that €60m buyout clause is rendered redundant by Simeone's treatment of his fellow South American.
Mourinho enjoys an excellent rapport with United's Spanish-speaking players and Gimenez could benefit from the rapport.
One issue is acquiring a ring-rusty defender at an unforgiving stage of the season. Please share and subscribe thanks
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