Man Utd star becomes top target as late transfer takes shape

Tom Weber

Updated: 31 Jan 2025 10:14 CST
3 min read

Manchester United full-back Tyrell Malacia has become Benfica's top target for the final days of the January window, according to Portuguese media.

Article continues under the video

The Red Devils are on the verge of wrapping up their first major signing of the Ruben Amorim era as Patrick Dorgu is gearing up to fly out to Manchester to complete his €35 million transfer from Lecce.

Dorgu is expected to take part in the Serie A side's game against Parma on Friday evening and then travel to England on Saturday for his medical. The young Dane will most likely feature as a left wing-back under Ruben Amorim, although he can also play further forward.

His arrival will, in turn, trigger a full-back departure from Old Trafford, with Man Utd still needing to be wary of their spending. As things stand, the player expected to leave is Tyrell Malacia.

Malacia in Benfica talks

According to Record and since confirmed by Fabrizio Romano, Benfica have made the Dutch left-back their top target for the final days of the January window as they look for reinforcements on that side of the defence.

Benfica already boast Alvaro Carreras, who has been outstanding since joining from Man Utd permanently in the summer, but they are expected to lose Jan-Niklas Beste, who will return to the Bundesliga after a disappointing six months in Lisbon and join Freiburg.

The Portuguese giants are therefore looking to add a left-back and have begun exploring a move for Malacia. Man Utd's current plan is to loan the 25-year-old out.

The Erik ten Hag signing only recently returned to action after missing more than a year through injury but it is thought that Amorim is not really convinced. The player is allowed to leave and attempt to get his career back on track after his unlucky spell at Man Utd.