Three England internationals on David Moyes’ January transfer agenda.Manchester United are readying a sensational £45m bid to bring in three of England’s brightest Premier League stars this January, CaughtOffside understands.
The three players in question are Everton duo Leighton Baines and Ross Barkley, and West Brom youngster Saido Berahino, as David Moyes looks to strengthen the key areas of his team.
A new player for the left-back position has long been a priority for Moyes, and the former Everton manager is known to have targeted Baines for much of the summer as he seeks to bring in a long-term replacement for Patrice Evra. Southampton’s Luke Shaw had also been linked with the club of late, though it is now expected that Moyes will try again to land Baines from his former club.
And whilst he raids Everton, he will also look to bring in one of the most talked about players at the moment, young midfield prospect Ross Barkley, who has enjoyed a terrific start to the season.
Still only 19, Barkley has been one of Everton’s best players so far this campaign, finding a new level to his game under the club’s new manager Roberto Martinez, and earning himself a call-up to the senior England squad.
With United still keen on bolstering their midfield, Barkley could be an ideal long-term replacement for Paul Scholes, who retired at the end of last season. Moyes has also targeted big names like Thiago Alcantara and Cesc Fabregas in recent months, but he is now ready to go head-to-head with Chelsea for the signing of Barkley, who looks like a player with the energy and creativity so lacking from the Red Devils’ midfield at the moment.
Everton are likely to demand around £40m for the two signings, as the ambitious Merseyside club will not want to part with their top talents on the cheap, but the United board are prepared to back Moyes financially to make these significant signings for a squad that has struggled for consistency at the start of the season.
The final £5m will go towards a bid for West Brom starlet Berahino, who has had a highly impressive start to the campaign, and caught Moyes’ eye with a strong display and a well-taken goal against Manchester United in the two sides’ recent meeting at Old Trafford.
Still only 20 years old, the England Under-21 international looks like a great prospect in English football and could add some variety to United’s attack, with Robin van Persie somewhat struggling for form so far this year and with Javier Hernandez possibly looking to leave the club in January due to a lack of regular first-team football.
Berahino could be available on the cheap due to his current contract coming to an end this summer, and United will certainly see the addition of these three players as £45m well spent.