According to the latest reports, Premier League club Manchester United are prepared to sell Antonio Valencia in this January transfer window itself with Serie A club Inter Milan being favorites to sign the out of favor right back. Although Valencia’s contract expires in the summer of 2019, Manchester United would prefer to sell the club captain this window itself in order to generate some revenue from his sale rather than allow him to leave on a free deal in the summer transfer window.
Manchester United seem to have hit a bit of a purple patch at the moment after they dismissed Portuguese boss Jose Mourinho in December following a humiliating 3-1 loss to arch-rivals Liverpool at Anfield.
With Mourinho sacked, Manchester United was tipped to be in a shambolic situation heading into the New Year, but temporary manager until the end of the season Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has ensured that collapse does not take place at Old Trafford. He has brought back new life into this side, though that would not always be the best news for some of these stars.
Since Ole has been at the helm, Manchester United have won their six games out of six including progressing to the FA Cup after beating Reading. United have scored 17 goals in the process and even overcame title contenders Tottenham Hotspur in their most recent Premier League encounter. A 1-0 win over Spurs meant at Wembley could arguably mean that Solskjaer may have put to bed the rumors that Mauricio Pochettino could be the man to take over at Manchester United in the summer.
Despite all the recent positives at Manchester United at the moment, most of the fans aren’t happy with a few players at the club and of them is Antonio Valencia. The 33-year-old was considered to be a superb signing when he first arrived at the club back in 2009 from Wigan Athletic and was an integral part of the United squad under Sir Alex Ferguson. Completing nearly a decade with United, Valencia has won two Premier League titles, one FA Cup, two League Cup’s, one Europa League and three FA Community Shields.
Time at Old Trafford seems to be coming to an end for Valencia who has deteriorated immensely over the past few years and has lost that flair and touch that he once showed in his younger days. His pacey runs down the flanks are seldom seen as he became a makeshift right back from a right wingers position.
Although Valencia is set to depart Manchester United, Italian club Serie A are keen on his signature in the winter transfer window itself. United do have the option to extend Valencia’s contract for another 12 months but it does not seem likely considering the lack of game-time that he is receiving at the moment.
The Ecuadorian international may leave in January but Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not willing to weaken his squad before the end of the season in the hope to achieve Champions League football. Inter though may sign Valencia in the summer transfer window if they do not get their target this winter.
