Manchester United Target Sinayoko in January Transfer Push
Manchester United are stepping up plans for a January move for Auxerre forward Lassine Sinayoko after the Mali international impressed against INEOS-owned Nice earlier this season and continued his rise on the AFCON stage.
The 26-year-old has emerged as a serious recruitment target, with United accelerating discussions as they look to secure his future ahead of the summer when his current Auxerre contract enters its final months.
United’s interest has progressed quickly, with talks already opened with the player’s camp as the club weighs up whether to act now or position itself for a free transfer. The intention is to conclude key terms early and remove competition from rival clubs monitoring his situation.
Sinayoko’s contract situation has sharpened the timing. With his deal set to expire next summer, United see January as a strategic window to formalise an agreement and allow the forward to complete the season before a planned move to Old Trafford at the end of the 2025–26 campaign.
The context fits neatly into Ruben Amorim’s wider squad planning. Despite attacking reinforcements arriving last summer, United are still looking to add flexible, dynamic forwards capable of operating across the front line, an area where Sinayoko’s versatility stands out.
His profile has been built on work rate, movement between the lines, and an ability to stretch defenses from multiple positions. Those traits were evident in his performance against Nice and have carried into his AFCON appearances with Mali, where his sharpness in tight spaces has caught further attention.
Key moments from his club season underline that appeal. Sinayoko has been effective both as a central option and drifting wide, often involved in the buildup before arriving late in scoring positions, a pattern United believe can translate to Premier League intensity.
The second half of United’s season planning also carries broader implications. Former academy midfielder Scott McTominay continues to attract attention after a standout debut campaign in Serie A, where his influence helped Napoli claim the Scudetto. Despite that success, reports of mounting pressure and internal tension have fueled speculation about a possible return to England.
Those discussions inevitably circle back to United, given McTominay’s history at the club and ongoing links with Premier League sides. At the same time, questions remain around Kobbie Mainoo’s immediate future after limited minutes this season.
Mainoo’s situation adds another layer to United’s January considerations. While frustration has grown over his lack of game time, Amorim has maintained confidence in the midfielder’s long-term role, emphasizing his positional flexibility and patience as key to his development.
As the window approaches, United face several interconnected decisions. Securing Sinayoko would signal a forward-looking move aligned with contract value and squad depth, while the futures of McTominay and Mainoo continue to shape the wider narrative at Old Trafford heading into the second half of the campaign.