News Thread

When it comes to transfers, Manchester United are linked to players more than any other club as agents aim to generate interest and journalists aim to drive traffic. Despite underperforming massively since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, United remain one of the biggest clubs in the world and they’ve spent inordinate amounts across the last decade. Since the start of the 2013/14 campaign - the season after Ferguson retired after winning the club’s last Premier League title - United have spent €1.8b on new players. Only Chelsea (€2.49b) and Manchester City (€1.92b) have a higher expenditure over that period with United’s net spend of -€1,320b is worse than both rivals due to their terrible record of selling players.

The African Cup of Nations is currently showcasing the best talent on the continent and Ousmane Diomande arguably has the biggest potential of them all. The 20-year-old will be integral to Ivory Coast’s prospects and scouts from Premier League giants will have a vested interest. Diomande enjoyed a sensational 2023 after moving to Sporting Lisbon from FC Midtjylland last January to catch the attention of top clubs. Diomande possesses all the characteristics desired in a modern centre-back - pace, power and comfortable in possession. Portuguese clubs are synonymous with developing prodigiously talented youngsters before selling them for massive profits and Diomande is one of the next starlets on the conveyor belt. 

It’s been an incredibly slow January transfer window so far with clubs across Europe unable or unwilling to fork out big transfer fees. The winter window is notoriously quieter than the summer with clubs holding off until the end of the season to complete major moves when they can budget accordingly based on league position and revenue. Vitor Roque’s €40m move from Atletico Paranaense to Barcelona remains the highest transfer fee paid this month with loan moves proving popular like Jadon Sancho’s return to Borussia Dortmund from Manchester United. 

The Belgian Jupiler Pro League has earned a reputation for developing youngsters in recent years and Arthur Vermeeren is the most prodigious talent of them all. Victor Boniface and Loïs Openda are just two players to shine in one of European football’s top five leagues and Vermeeren is destined to join one of the biggest clubs on the continent. The central midfielder’s development has been monitored by clubs in Spain, England, Germany and Italy since he made his professional debut for Royal Antwerp in the UEFA Conference League in August 2022.

Manchester United have reportedly revived their interest in Brian Brobbey this month as they aim to strengthen their attacking options. Goal scoring has been a major problem for Erik ten Hag this season and only three clubs - Sheffield United, Burnley and Crystal Palace - have scored less in the league than United’s 24 goals.

It has not been smooth sailing for Karim Benzema at Saudi Pro League club Al-Ittihad. Although he has scored nine goals in 15 league games since moving to Saudi Arabia, Benzema has been in the news for an apparent dip in form. Benzema failed to score in the last two SPL games and returned 17 days late from the winter break due to a storm in Mauritius that left him stranded. 

The January transfer window continues to rumble on but it’s incredibly unlikely that any player will swap clubs in a big-money move this month. English Premier League clubs spent an absolute fortune last season as they splurged €842.5 million on new signings but that figure still remains below €50m this January. The financial power of English clubs is renowned and it’s dwarfed their European rivals across the last decade. 

Real Madrid have replaced Manchester City as the highest revenue generating football club in the world for the 2022/23 season. Despite winning a historic treble, City have been eclipsed by the Spanish giants for the first time since the 2017/18 campaign with Madrid strengthened by a higher stadium attendance after the pandemic and merchandise sales. 

It’s been a quiet transfer window for English clubs but Callum Wilson has generated considerable column inches. Spending is down significantly from last January with Premier League clubs’ spending power severely limited by FFP regulations. 

Marcus Rashford was unstoppable during Erik ten Hag’s debut season at Manchester United as he posted the best attacking numbers of his career. Rashford was United’s talisman as they ended their six-year trophy drought, but his form has slumped this campaign and he’s hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons in recent days.