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Man Utd close on another loan exit as two summer targets eyed

  /  autty

Manchester United's loan conveyor belt could see another player leave in the January transfer window.

Already they have managed to get Jadon Sancho out of the club, bringing his battle with Erik ten Hag to an end, at least until he returns in the summer. Donny van de Beek has also managed to secure himself a move elsewhere, joining Frankfurt.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has come on board and began making changes off the pitch but his influence on transfers and recruitment won't be felt until the summer with Ten Hag unlikely to welcome any new faces before the month ends, despite the club's obvious need for more quality. Here's the latest from Manchester.

Pellistri nearing loan exit

Facundo Pellistri travelled to Spain to complete his move to Granada on Tuesday afternoon, according to the Manchester Evening News. The Uruguayan is set to join the La Liga club, who are fighting relegation, on loan for the rest of the season.

A deal appeared in the balance but both parties returned on Monday to thrash out the final pieces, which will allow Pellistri to get consistent game time. He's been struggling for minutes under Ten Hag having turned down loan prospects back in the summer.

Pellistri said previously: "Being here, all the players are top players," he told club media. "So when you train here, you learn a lot. Every session is like being at Harvard because you have the best of the best. So, in training, you improve a lot."

Sociedad's Kubo on radar

United are interested in making a move for Real Sociedad's Takefusa Kubo, according to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo. The Japanese winger moved to the La Liga club from Real Madrid, where he failed to make an appearance, and continues to shine.

This term he's come up with five goals and registered four assists for Sociedad, which follows on from a productive debut season at the club which saw him score nine times and add a further nine assists. The Spanish side could yet lose Martin Zubimendi to Arsenal and will be determined not to see a mass exodus.

Kubo was only signed for £5.5m however and could represent a massive profit if United did come knocking. The club's wide players have struggled in the final third this term and Ten Hag could pursue alternatives, but a summer move is most likely.

Branthwaite approach readied

The Red Devils are readying an approach for Everton's Jarrad Branthwaite, but Real Madrid remain keen, according to Corriere dello Sport, as per FourFourTwo. The Toffees defender has continued to impress throughout his time at Goodison Park and is valued at around £40m.

Everton themselves have ran into financial problems this season, leading to points deductions, and they could yet cash in, especially if they end up suffering relegation. United's centre-half options remain very much up in the air with Lisandro Martinez the only man with a guaranteed future.

Raphael Varane could be moved on when his contract ends with Jonny Evans too in a similar scenario. Harry Maguire has begun to see more minutes after being linked with a summer departure, but his long-term future is also far from clear.