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Possible AFCON postponement will be a huge boost for Manchester United January transfer targets
Possible AFCON postponement will be a huge boost for Manchester United January transfer targets.
With uncertainty surrounding the much anticipated Africa Cup of Nations set to hold in January next year.
The Biannual event is set to take place in Cameroon, but concerns over Covid and the spread of the Omicron variant have created fresh doubt.
According to The Mirror the AFCON could be cancelled, citing reports in France stemming from discussions among the organisers.
It added that Egyptian journalist Ismael Mahmoud reports the tournament could be postponed or held without players from European clubs.
Eric Bailly and Amad Diallo are two Manchester United players who are due to represent Ivory Coast at the African Cup of Nations.
For United defender Eric Bailly it will be more of an interruption to his club’s season, which has seen him struggle for playing time by ranking fourth on United’s center-back list.
meanwhile, Amad is expected to agree a loan deal with one of the several interested clubs, but his start would have been delayed until February, limiting the impact he could make.
The cancellation of AFCON could see Bailly get a start or two for United in the FA Cup and help out amid a busy schedule.
Also, United deal to sign Amadou Haidaram in from RB Leizpig becomes a lot easier.
Haidara is currently expected to leave travel from Germany to Mali for the tournament, which would mean that even if United did sign him, he would not be available until February 2021.
other logistical aspects to a deal, including undergoing a medical and having him settle down at Manchester, which would become a bit more difficult if he were in the Cameroon tournament all month.
As per The Times, Haidara is a top target for Ralf Rangnick, who signed him for RB Leipzig. There is a £33 million release clause in his contract which makes a transfer relatively straightforward.