The January transfer window will be open sooner rather than later, so it’s time to talk Manchester United transfer rumors. Let’s dive right in with attacking midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian has been left out of seven of the last eight matchday squads and thus linked with a move away from Old Trafford.
Rumors continue to swirl about United picking up a new winger to replace him. Ivan Perisic and Gareth Bale are the two names that continue to resurface. Mourinho did nothing to squelch the Mkhitaryan departure rumors yesterday, as he explained why he currently has no room for the Armenian.
-Citing Bleacher Report, who have more on Mkhitaryan, and also on back-up goalkeeper Sergio Romero
“According to the Daily Star‘s Rhys Turrell, the former Borussia Dortmund man wants talks with manager Jose Mourinho to see if he has any future still at the club…Romero is worried the lack of playing time may negatively affect his form and “would prefer to play regularly elsewhere,” although the Red Devils do not want to let him go.”
As we covered a couple days ago, Romero is not likely to move this January, but if he does Arsenal seems to be a frequently mentioned potential landing spot.
-Going the other way, from Arsenal to Man United, would be midfielder Mesut Ozil potentially. This is a narrative that’s been gaining a lot of momentum for a very long time already.
Arsenal hero Martin Keown believes that United want this deal to happen for two reasons, and mostly it’s about United manager Jose Mourinho getting one over on his arch-rival Arsene Wenger.
“I think Jose Mourinho would love for that move to happen, for two reasons,” Keown told the Daily Mail.
“One, because of the quality of the player, and two because it would be a poke in the eye for Arsene Wenger. That rivalry between the two managers has not gone away.”
Finally, Jose Mourinho has been keen to reunite with Willian, his former player at Chelsea. United have made an early move to sign the Brazilian, but the Blues are looking to add to their roster, not deplete it in January.
The Daily Mail writes that: “Willian is a popular figure among teammates, however, it is understood he has naturally been frustrated at the lack of starting opportunities and knows Jose Mourinho is a confirmed admirer.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net and TheBank.News, which is partnered with News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, NBC Chicago.com and Chicago Tribune.com, currently contributes regularly to WGN CLTV and the Tribune company’s blogging community Chicago Now.
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