Manchester United Enter £40m Race for Frankfurt Defender
With the January transfer window rapidly approaching its deadline, Manchester United have reportedly entered the race for Eintracht Frankfurt full-back Nathaniel Brown. According to TEAMTalk, United scouts were in attendance to watch the 22-year-old defender during Wednesday night's Champions League clash against Tottenham, where Brown featured for 72 minutes.
Competition Heats Up for Young Defender
The talented defender, who has a contract with Frankfurt until 2030, is expected to leave the German club this summer despite his long-term deal. Sources suggest any club looking to secure his services would need to pay around £40 million to prise him away from Frankfurt.
United face significant competition for Brown's signature, with Premier League rivals Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur all credited with serious interest in the young defender. This creates a potentially intense bidding war as clubs scramble to strengthen their defensive options before the window closes.
Zirkzee Juventus Negotiations Underway
Meanwhile, negotiations are reportedly "underway" for a deal that could see Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee move to Juventus before the transfer deadline. According to Italian publication Gazzetta dello Sport, the Dutch striker has emerged as an alternative option for Juventus after their frustrations in pursuing primary target Youssef En-Nesyri.
Loan Deal Under Consideration
The 24-year-old forward has been linked with a move away from Old Trafford throughout the January window, with Roma previously showing strong interest. However, Zirkzee has remained at United until now, with the recent managerial change impacting his situation at the club.
It's understood that United are considering a straight loan deal for Zirkzee without any option or obligation to buy, which would allow the player to gain valuable first-team experience while remaining under contract with the Manchester club.
Transfer Window Countdown
Manchester United have just a few days remaining to complete any transfer business before the January window shuts. The club's activity comes during a positive period under interim head coach Michael Carrick, who has guided the team to six points from their last two Premier League games against Manchester City and Arsenal.
United return to action on Sunday afternoon with a 2pm kick-off against Fulham at Old Trafford, a match that takes place just over 24 hours before the transfer window closes. While there has been limited first-team movement at Old Trafford this month, these latest developments suggest potential activity in the final days of the window.
The club's transfer strategy appears focused on both incoming and outgoing business, with defensive reinforcement through Brown and potential attacking departures through Zirkzee's possible loan move to Italy. As the deadline approaches, United fans will be watching closely to see how these negotiations develop in the coming days.
