Manchester United and Chelsea have inquired about signing Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer, according to sky germany.
United’s need for a midfielder has intensified after Christian Eriksen was ruled out due to injury at least until April. Chelsea have been working on a signing for Enzo Fernández from Benfica, but that deal has yet to be fully agreed upon.
Bayern are ready to let Sabitzer go on loan or permanently and their sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic has been on the phone with both Premier League clubs.
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Paul Merson is not convinced that Marcel Sabitzer is the right player for Manchester United and Chelsea
United is waiting for Bayern to decide if they will do business. United’s preference is a loan and that could work for Bayern as Sabitzer still has two and a half years left on his contract.
The fact that United and Bayern are in different European competitions and are not direct rivals could be a key factor in any potential deal.
Austrian international Sabitzer joined Bayern from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021, but has started just seven Bundesliga games so far this season.
Predominantly a central midfielder, the 28-year-old has also played as a defensive midfielder, attacking midfielder, second striker and winger during his career.
Merse: Sabitzer does not make the Bayern team, it’s panic!
Paul Merson from Sky Sports speaking on Deadline Day:
“Marcel Sabitzer doesn’t make the Bayern Munich team. I know they have two cemented in midfield, but if he was that good he would be pressing. Again, panic again. There was no interest in him.” January 1st.
“Chelsea are trying to bring Enzo Fernandez to the other side of the line and Christian Eriksen is now injured at Man United. It’s panic. You are buying second-tier players from Bayern Munich.
“This guy wasn’t on the radar before. He doesn’t make the Bayern squad, not even close to their first team. You have to ask yourself ‘is he going to make us better?’ I’m not sure.”
Ten Hag: Eriksen’s quality will be missed
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Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is weighing in on who could replace Christian Eriksen in midfield after the Denmark international was ruled out until at least April due to injury.
Eriksen left Old Trafford on crutches after being sent off in Saturday’s FA Cup win over Reading and now it looks like he will miss a significant amount of the United game.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of United’s Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest, Erik ten Hag explained that he has options to cover Eriksen’s absence, but admitted it would be difficult to replace the Dane’s quality in attack areas.
“He’s disappointed and we’re disappointed, but it happens in top-level football. You have to deal with it,” the United manager said.
“We have players in midfield, good players, who can fill the void. Each player has his own characteristics and identity. Eriksen brings the highest quality to our team and some characteristics are difficult to replace, for example his quality in the field. last third”.
Chelsea close to record PL £105m Fernandez deal
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Dharmesh Sheth and Kaveh Solhekol give the latest on Chelsea’s search for Enzo Fernandez, as the London club look set to break the British transfer fee record.
Chelsea are close to agreeing a deal for Benfica’s Enzo Fernandez after making an offer of £105.6m, the same value as the midfielder’s release clause.
Todd Boehly’s Blues wants to structure the release fee in installments, as paying all at once has financial and tax implications.
Chelsea have been in talks to sign the World Cup winner from Argentina throughout this month, but Benfica have refused to do business unless the Blues pay a release clause of 120 million euros (£105 ,6 millions).
The midfielder has once again communicated to Benfica that he wants to sign for Chelsea. If Fernandez moves to Stamford Bridge, he would top the £100m Manchester City paid for Jack Grealish from Aston Villa 18 months ago, making him the most expensive signing in Premier League history.
Follow the January transfer window with Sky Sports
Who will be on the move this winter? The January transfer window closes at 23:00 in England and midnight in Scotland in Tuesday January 31, 2023.
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