Jose Mourinho has requested Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward about making progress on the deals for Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko and Benfica defender Victor Lindelof, The Daily Star reports. Both players have been consistently linked with United over the last few months. While United surprisingly pulled away from the transfer of Lindelof, it is understood that the club are still keeping tabs on the 22-year-old defender.Bakayoko also remains a key transfer target for the club.
One of the primary reasons behind United going after these two players is the concern about the hectic fixture schedule. United progressed into the fifth round of the FA Cup after a 4-0 win over Wigan Athletic. The club will also be involved in the EFL Cup final along with the Europa League in the coming weeks. The fixture schedule is thought to be one of the key reasons behind United doing away with the possibility of selling Bastian Schweinsteiger in the January transfer window.
Schweinsteiger has been frozen out of the first-team for much of the first half of the campaign, but he has made three appearances for the club in recent months. After the departure of Morgan Schneiderlin and Memphis Depay, Manchester United seem to be short of options in the midfield especially if Jose Mourinho wants to rotate. The German World Cup winner, however, is widely expected to leave the club in the summer.
With only two days of the January transfer window left, Mourinho and United may be short on time in order to get the transfer targets. Even if the club make a late approach for these two players, it is very likely that they will be forced to pay extravagant transfer fees. Even then, bringing these players – especially Bakayoko – will help the club overcome any shortage of numbers in the midfield.
Bakayoko is one of the exciting prospects in the midfield, and he has really shined for Monaco this season. His performances have been a major factor behind Monaco’s resurgence in the French league this term. However, he will cost in the region of £35 million, while Lindelof will be even more expensive at £38 million.
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