Man Utd could land a genuinely available midfielder for around \u00a335m in January ahead of a second and bigger addition in the summer, according to a report.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s no secret Man Utd\u2019s focus in the next two transfer windows will be on signing reinforcements in midfield. According to the latest from talkSPORT<\/a>, the Red Devils might not be content to settle for just one new face.<\/p>\n The report read: \u2018Manchester United are open to adding two new midfielders in 2026.\u2019<\/p>\n Many of United\u2019s shortlisted targets are already common knowledge \u2013 Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Angelo Stiller, Morten Hjulmand etc.<\/p>\n However, the one thing that quintet all have in common is they\u2019re highly unlikely to be on the move in January.<\/p>\n According to talkSPORT, Man Utd<\/a> could move for one of those bigger names in the summer, but that\u2019s not to say an addition won\u2019t be made in January too.<\/p>\n Per the report, Man Utd have the opportunity to sign a player they made an approach for in the final hours of the summer window \u2013 Conor Gallagher<\/a>.<\/p>\n United explored a loan move for Gallagher late in the window but were told Atletico Madrid<\/a> only wanted to sell \u2013 not loan \u2013 the player.<\/p>\n \u201cUnderstand that Utd did inquire about a loan for Conor Gallagher but Atletico Madrid only willing to sell,\u201d\u00a0wrote the Daily Mail\u2019s Chris Wheeler on X\u00a0at the time<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIn the end, Utd accept they can\u2019t do everything in one window and midfield is likely to be priority in Jan or next summer.\u201d<\/p>\n But per talkSPORT, Gallagher \u2013 amid a lack of starts this term \u2013 is now a \u2018viable\u2019 and \u2018feasible\u2019 option to change clubs in January.<\/p>\n Whether Man Utd will reignite their interest remains to be seen. It was clarified Man Utd would once again prefer a loan move if they do bid for Gallagher.<\/p>\n A loan that contains an option\/obligation to buy could be one way of satisfying Diego Simeone\u2019s side. Atleti\u2019s asking price is believed to be around \u00a335m \u2013 which is essentially what they paid to sign Gallagher from Chelsea two summers ago.<\/p>\n What attributes Ruben Amorim looking for<\/strong><\/p>\n Amorim\u2019s 3-4-2-1 formation means he always operates with a two-man midfield. Many teams play three in the middle and at times, United can be overrun and easy to cut through in the engine room<\/p>\n The primary way to offset that issue is by ensuring the two midfielders are mobile, athletic and eat up the ground quickly.<\/p>\n Per talkSPORT, Amorim is seeking \u2018more pace and athleticism\u2019 in central areas. Gallagher \u2013 known for his dogged determination and pressing \u2013 would certainly add bite and energy if signed.<\/p>\n Latest Man Utd news \u2013 Selection dilemma\u2026<\/strong><\/p>\n In other news, the imminent return of a long-term absentee is poised to give Amorim a huge selection dilemma<\/a>.<\/p>\n Elsewhere,\u00a0TEAMtalk can reveal\u00a0what terms Man Utd are proposing<\/a>\u00a0in their attempts to tie Harry Maguire down to a new contract.<\/p>\n