Man Utd Hoping To Beat Chelsea To £25m-Rated Star

With the January transfer window just about to open, managers are getting ready to strengthen their squads ahead of the second half of the season, so we’ll bring you all the latest news and gossip. Today, Man Utd are linked with a move for Everton’s Seamus Coleman…..

Manchester United are hoping to beat Chelsea to the signing of £25m-rated Everton full-back Seamus Coleman next month, according to reports.

Coleman has established himself as one of the best full-backs in Europe in recent years and was named in the PFA Team of the Year last season after an excellent campaign with the Toffees.

His form has understandably attracted interest from a whole host of top clubs with the likes of Manchester United and Chelsea previously linked with a move for the Republic of Ireland international.

Jose Mourinho remains a keen admirer but it appears United are now hoping to beat their rivals to Coleman’s signature with reports claiming that the 20-time Premier League champions are ready to make their interest official in January.

The Daily Star suggest that Louis van Gaal has identified Coleman as the ideal player to fill the right wing-back role in his 3-5-2 formation while he’d also be more than comfortable playing right-back in a traditional back four.

Antonio Valencia has been doing a fine job in that role this season while Rafeal has been out injured but Coleman would no doubt be an upgrade and at 26, he’s still got his best years ahead of him.

Everton will obviously be desperate to keep hold of the £25m-rated full-back but the Daily Star state that United are ready to offer them Adnan Januzaj on loan until the end of the season as a sweetener in any potential deal.

It remains to be seen whether Roberto Martinez will be persuaded to do business but his budget is tight at Goodison Park so he may be tempted to cash-in on Coleman in order to bring in funds to strengthen other areas of the squad.

READ MORE –> Chelsea transfer news | Man Utd transfer news

It appears United will be heading the queue if the Merseysiders do decide to sell and Coleman may get far more first team football at Old Trafford compared to Chelsea, where he’d have to compete with both Branislav Ivanovic and Cesar Azpilicueta for a place in the starting eleven.