Manchester United may have to wait until the summer transfer window if they want to sign Roma right-back Wesley and Atletico Madrid forward Giuliano Simeone, according to reports. The Premier League club has endured a difficult start to the current campaign under head coach Michael Carrick.
Struggles on the Pitch and January Plans
After finishing third in the Premier League and securing Champions League qualification at the end of the previous campaign, Carrick earned the head coach position on a permanent basis. However, the Red Devils have only secured one victory from their first seven Premier League fixtures, accumulating seven points so far. In addition, they suffered a 3-2 exit from the Carabao Cup at home against Brighton after squandering a 2-0 lead, while recording one win and one defeat in their opening two Champions League matches. Many observers and fans believe INEOS did not sufficiently support Carrick in the summer market by prioritizing the midfield over defensive reinforcements.
Addressing the upcoming market, Carrick acknowledged that the club will be active in January. “When the next transfer window comes, you want to plan and you want to make the best of it,” Carrick stated. “Whatever that looks like at this stage, we don’t quite know. But without doubt, there’s opportunity because the transfer window is open. So we’ll definitely be looking at that and trying to come out stronger in whatever way that looks like.”
Obstacles in Pursuing Wesley and Simeone
Football Insider reports that Manchester United are monitoring Roma right-back Wesley to bolster their full-back options. Nevertheless, sources indicate that Roma are unwilling to part with the Brazil international mid-season, meaning the Premier League side will likely need to wait until next summer. Roma currently value the defender at approximately £50 million, a figure that could rise if his strong form continues.
In a separate report, Football Insider notes that Atletico Madrid forward Simeone—valued at £40 million on FotMob—is also a target for the winter window. Even so, prising him away from Spain in January will prove challenging because he plays under his father, Diego Simeone, at the Wanda Metropolitano, and the manager counts on him for the future. Furthermore, sources report that Manchester United’s main priority for the upcoming window is defensive improvement rather than adding attacking reinforcements.
