Manchester United are close to signing Bayern Munich midfielder Marcel Sabitzer. The Austrian international is traveling to Manchester for a medical before joining Old Trafford on loan. According to sources who spoke to ESPN, United is confident that the deal will be completed before the UK deadline of 11 p.m.
Christian Eriksen’s ankle injury has caused him to be sidelined for at least three months, prompting United to make a move for Sabitzer. Eriksen’s absence has left Donny van de Beek and Scott McTominay out injured, leaving manager Erik ten Hag without many choices in the midfield.
Sabitzer is eager to join United after just losing his position at Bayern. The move is set to be a straight loan until the end of the season and the 28-year-old will become the club’s second January acquisition after Burnley attacker Wout Weghorst, who joined on loan.
Since moving to Bayern from RB Leipzig in 2021 for a cost of €16 million, Sabitzer has made 54 appearances. He is under contract with Bayern until 2025, but sources have told ESPN that he plans to permanently quit the team this summer.
Sabitzer has made 54 appearances for Bayern since arriving from RB Leipzig in 2021 for a fee of €16 million. He has a contract at Bayern until 2025 but sources have told ESPN he is set to leave the club permanently in the summer.
Speaking about possibly signing a replacement for Eriksen on deadline day, Ten Hag told a news conference: “On deadline day it’s difficult. You can’t make policy on such bad injuries but we have players in the midfield department, good players, and we have players who can fill the gap.
“We have a strategy and we keep the strategy. We want to restore Manchester United to where they belong. We are in a good direction and it also has to match our financial frames.”