Manchester United to find it difficult signing 2 players in January

Manchester United in a deep spot ahead of the January transfer window as it is being reported that plans to sign 2 high profile targets could be halted due to Financial Fair Play regulations.

The club’s previous high expenditures in the summer transfer windows, which included acquisitions such as Rasmus Hojlund, Casemiro, and Antony, have reportedly strained their finances.

The club’s profligate spending in the earlier part of the season has left them with substantial instalment payments to be made for past transfers, a situation that has raised concerns about Financial Fair Play (FFP) compliance.

As a result, United had to limit their activities in the January transfer window to loan deals during the last season.

The ongoing concerns about FFP at Old Trafford have led to apprehensions that, despite facing an injury crisis, the club might encounter challenges in making any significant moves in the upcoming January transfer window.

According to reports, these concerns have materialized, with Football Insider indicating that Manchester United had initially intended to secure two major signings in the form of centre-backs but have now abandoned these plans due to financial constraints.

The two players in question are Sporting Lisbon’s Goncalo Inacio and Nice’s Jean-Clair Todibo. Jean-Clair Todibo was a name strongly linked to Manchester United during the previous summer transfer window, although a deal for the French player was never finalized.

Furthermore, Nice is under the ownership of Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who has agreed to acquire a 25% minority share of Manchester United from the Glazer family, subject to board approval.

The ownership connection adds an intriguing dimension to the potential transfer.

However, both potential transfers for Inacio and Todibo now seem to be deferred until the summer.

These players are under 23 years of age and represent their respective national teams, with Todibo representing France and Inacio representing Portugal.

Inacio is a pivotal figure in Sporting Lisbon, a team currently leading the Liga Portugal table, having conceded only seven goals in their first eight games of the season.

He recently signed a contract extension with a raised release clause of €60 million.

As for Todibo, L’Equipe had reported that United had reached an agreement for a £34.1 million transfer fee in the summer, but the impressive performance of Nice, who currently sit second in Ligue 1, has possibly altered the club’s perspective on the transfer.