A number of Premier League clubs, including Manchester United, will have to deal with the absence of players during the Africa Cup of Nations.
Twenty-four teams will battle to be crowned AFCON champions, and individual brilliance could be the difference between who makes the biggest transfers in 2024.
Anticipation is building and respected football publication Goal have listed 10 players for you to keep an eye on during the tournament, including one player who has been strongly linked with a move to United.
- Mohamed Salah (Egypt)
- Ousmane Diomande (Ivory Coast)
- Sadio Mane (Senegal)
- Serhou Guirassy (Guinea)
- Mohammed Kudus (Ghana)
- Yankuba Minteh (Gambia)
- Riyad Mahrez (Algeria)
- Karim Konate (Ivory Coast)
- Pape Matar Sarr (Senegal)
- Victor Osimhen (Nigeria)
The name that stands out for United fans is Stuttgart’s Serhou Guirassy rather than Napoli’s Victor Osimhen.
The former Koln and Rennes striker has been enjoying life at Stuttgart, scoring 17 goals in just 14 Bundesliga games, helping the side become genuine top four contenders.
Furthermore, Guirassy has been heavily linked with a move to United.
According to Christian Falk, Bayern Munich are willing to trigger the forward’s €20 million (£17m) release clause in the summer, so long as he is not sold in January which is now deemed unlikely.
Guirassy is one of four strikers The Athletic linked United with, too.
The Reds are currently having to manage without midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who is underperformed since his loan move from Fiorentina, and Andre Onana is set to fly out to the Ivory Coast after Sunday’s Premier League meeting against Tottenham.
Neither player is likely to return to Old Trafford for at least the remainder of January.
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