Manchester United Transfer News 25/10: Zirkzee wants to leave, Gallagher targeted.
Zirkzee is expected to ask to leave Man Utd in January; MU wants to loan Conor Gallagher while Atletico wants to sell. Man City are competing for Said El Mala, while the Red Devils are considering Lewandowski on a free transfer.
Manchester United face a volatile winter transfer window: according to the Daily Star, Joshua Zirkzee is expected to request a departure from Old Trafford in January; talkSPORT reports that Conor Gallagher (Atletico Madrid) is on the shortlist, but MU wants to loan him rather than buy him; at the same time, Bayern Insider reveals that Man City are closely monitoring Said El Mala and competing with MU for his signature. In the long term, the Daily Star says the Red Devils are considering Robert Lewandowski if he leaves Barcelona on a free transfer next summer.
Zirkzee wants to leave Old Trafford.
According to the Daily Star, 24-year-old striker Joshua Zirkzee is ready to request a transfer when the January transfer window opens. Joining from Bologna in 2024, Zirkzee only scored 7 goals in 49 appearances in his first season and is no longer in manager Ruben Amorim's plans. In fact, he has been relegated to a position behind new signings Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko in the attacking lineup.
Significance in terms of attacking depth
Zirkzee's departure, if it happens, would reduce the density in the attacking line but also raise questions about rotation options as the season enters its crucial stages. The presence of Mbeumo, Cunha, and Sesko shows that MU is restructuring its selection order, thereby paving the way for further personnel changes in the winter transfer window.
Gallagher is on the shortlist, facing differing viewpoints.
TalkSPORT reports that Conor Gallagher (25 years old) is among Manchester United's targets for January. Since leaving Chelsea for Atletico Madrid in 2024 for a fee of €40 million, Gallagher has made over 60 appearances for the Spanish club. Manchester United are interested in a loan deal, while Atletico prefer a permanent sale at a price equivalent to their initial investment.
Transfer message
The loan proposal suggests that MU is seeking financial flexibility in the winter transfer window, rather than finalizing a major deal mid-season. Conversely, Atletico's demand for a permanent sale could complicate the process if the two sides cannot narrow their differences.
Said El Mala Race
According to the Bayern Insider podcast, Manchester City are monitoring young striker Said El Mala (currently on the books of FC Koln) and will have to compete with Manchester United and Bayern Munich for his signature. El Mala is a product of the Viktoria Koln academy (German third division), signed with FC Koln in 2024, and was subsequently loaned back to Viktoria Koln for the 2024/25 season to gain experience.
Signals for long-term planning
Joining the race for a young talent like El Mala shows that MU is not only looking for an immediate solution for their attack but also keeping an eye on the next generation.
Lewandowski's summer option
The Daily Star reports that Manchester United are considering Robert Lewandowski as a free agent next summer. The Polish striker's current contract with Barcelona expires at the end of this season, although Barcelona have the option to extend it for another year. The possibility of closing the deal depends on the decision of the Camp Nou club and the progress of negotiations for a free transfer.
Key statistics and timelines
| Target | Year old | current club | Status | Notable figures |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Joshua Zirkzee | 24 | Man Utd | We are planning to postpone it until January. | 7 goals in 49 games in his first season at MU |
| Conor Gallagher | 25 | Atletico Madrid | MU wants to loan; Atletico wants to sell. | >60 appearances from 2024; transfer fee 40 million euros |
| Said El Mala | But | FC Koln (on loan to Viktoria Koln) | Man City, MU, Bayern are all watching. | Signed with FC Koln in 2024; loaned 2024/25 |
| Robert Lewandowski | But | Portuguese | MU are considering a free agent next summer. | The contract expires at the end of the season; Barca has the option to extend it for one year. |
Impact and prospects
Simultaneous signals suggest that MU is pursuing a multi-faceted strategy: freeing up space in the current attack (Zirkzee), finding a midfield solution through loan (Gallagher), monitoring young talent for the future (El Mala), and considering an experienced option in the summer (Lewandowski). The success or failure of each deal depends on the partner's stance and the timeframe: the winter transfer window offers a window for short-term adjustments, while the summer is the time for structural decisions.
In this context, financial flexibility and negotiating power will be key for MU in the winter transfer window, before they decide on squad-shaping moves in the summer.
