Man Utd eye £52m-rated Arsenal target

Arsenal will face competition from Manchester United should they attempt to sign Real Sociedad winger Takefusa Kubo. The Japan international, 22, is enjoying a terrific campaign with the San Sebastian outfit, who’ve reached the Champions League knockout stages, and he’s subsequently left Arsenal scouts impressed.

As reported by Mundo Deportivo, United are willing to pay Kubo’s €60million (£52m) release clause and would even offer seven times his current wage. The former Real Madrid prodigy, who spent four years with bitter rivals Barcelona in his youth, has a deal with Real Sociedad until 2027.

5 players Man Utd could sign after Ratcliffe deal

Manchester United have finally confirmed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has brought a 25 percent in the club – eight days before the January transfer window is set to open.

The 71-year-old has completed a £1.3billion deal in the Red Devils after agreeing terms with the Glazers, who will remain as majority shareholders. The partial takeover is still subject to ratification from the Premier League, which could take six weeks. This may impact the extent of United’s business in January.

Speaking after the deal was confirmed, Ratcliffe said: “As a local boy and a lifelong supporter of the Club, I am very pleased that we have been able to agree a deal with the Manchester United Board that delegates us management responsibility of the football operations of the Club.”

Ratcliffe will be hoping to have an impact on the footballing operations as soon as he can, with the winter transfer window opening on January 1. So, with that in mind, here are five players United could sign in January.

Takefusa Kubo

A talented winger, Kubo has impressed for Real Sociedad in La Liga and in the Champions League this season. The Japan international has scored six goals and grabbed four assists in 24 appearances this term.

Kubo, a former Real Madrid and Barcelona talent, is a right winger but can play in the No.10 position.

Youssef En-Nesyri

Having impressed for Morocco at the World Cup, En-Nesyri had been linked with a move to the likes of West Ham in the summer, but stayed put at Sevilla.

However, he could leave the Spanish club in January and United have been touted as a potential option, with the 26-year-old scoring nine goals in 24 games so far this season.

Serhou Guirassy

The second most prolific goalscorer in the Bundesliga this season behind Harry Kane, Guirassy has been heavily linked with a move away from Stuttgart in January.

The 27-year-old Frenchman has scored 19 goals in 16 appearances this season – a stunning record for a player who struggled during the early stages of his career.

Jean-Clair Todibo

Todibo could be someone United may look at in January, having impressed at Ratcliffe’s Nice so far this season. He has featured in 14 of their 17 Ligue 1 matches in 2023/24, with Nice flying high at the top end of the table.

The 23-year-old earned his first cap for France earlier this year and has been linked with a move to Tottenham and United in recent weeks ahead of the January transfer window.

Jarrad Branthwaite

The only English-based player on the list, Branthwaite has excelled after being handed a chance to impress at Everton under Sean Dyche. The 21-year-old spent last season on loan at PSV and returned to the Toffees with a point to prove – and it’s safe to say he has proved any doubters wrong.

Branthwaite has made 18 appearances across all competitions for Everton this term, and teams across the Premier League and Europe are tracking his progress, with United linked.