Manchester United: Two dynamic midfielders top Red Devils January wish list

Manchester United are reportedly interested in bring in Leicester City’s James Maddison and Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish during the January transfer window. The Red Devils are in need of an attacking midfielder and both players would be a smart fit for the club. 

According to the Independent, Manchester United have focused on signing either James Maddison, of Leicester City, or Jack Grealish, from Aston Villa, as their top priorities in the January transfer window. Both are attacking midfielders and United are in desperate need of at least one, and maybe both, as Paul Pogba is expected to leave this transfer window and Scott McTominay being out a few months after picking up a knee ligament injury on boxing day.

James Maddison just turned 23 in November and has cemented himself as one of the most important pieces in second-place Leicester City’s lineup. The England international currently has a market value of $68.4 million, according to Transfermarkt, and would most likely go for more than that if sold in the winter transfer window. Maddison has appeared in 23 games for the Foxes this season and has contributed nine goals and three assists across all competitions. In his first season with Leicester, Maddison contributed seven goals and seven assists in 38 total appearances. Maddison ranks sixth in the Premier League this season in total rating having played to a 7.52 rating so far in 2019. His 7.52 rating trailed just Kevin De Bruyne, Adama Traore, Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez and Ricardo Pereira.

Jack Grealish has really emerged this season and built off a very successful 2018/19 season in the Championship. Grealish, who turned 24 in September and has seven England caps, currently has a valuation of $39.9 million, according to Transfermarkt, and, like Maddison, would go for substantially more than that given the premium on January transfers. In 21 appearances this season, Grealish has netted eight goals and five assists and has helped Aston Villa climb out of the relegation zone and into the semifinals of the Carabao Cup. Grealish has a rating of 7.41 this season which is good enough for 10th in the entire Premier League and is right on the heels of Trent Alexander-Arnold who has a rating of 7.42.

I personally think Manchester United should go all out for James Maddison and spend whatever they need to sign the talented midfielder. Maddison works extremely hard, is very talented and would make United more interesting, and more creative, for a second half Champions League spot push. However, a consolation prize of Jack Grealish would not be the worst move for Manchester United and would also be a big boost to the Red Devils midfield.

What do you think Manchester United should do in January to revamp their midfield?