Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'contact Eintracht Frankfurt to discuss Daichi Kamada move'

By Matt Law, Football Editor | 31 January 2023

Man United 'contact Frankfurt to discuss Kamada move'

Manchester United contact Eintracht Frankfurt to discuss a possible move for Daichi Kamada before the transfer deadline, according to a report.

Manchester United have reportedly made contact with Eintracht Frankfurt to discuss a possible move for Daichi Kamada before the end of the January transfer window.

The Red Devils announced on Tuesday afternoon that Christian Eriksen is expected to be on the sidelines 'until late April or early May' due to the ankle injury that he picked up against Reading in the FA Cup.

Speaking during Tuesday's press conference to preview Wednesday's EFL Cup semi-final second leg with Nottingham Forest, Man United head coach Erik ten Hag admitted that it would be difficult for his side to sign a replacement for Eriksen this late in the window.

"You never know," Ten Hag told reporters. "So, in this moment, we are short [for time] before [the window closes]. It's not what we are aiming for, but it can be some things come along.

"We have to consider that but I'm not really proactive in the last day of the window. We have our squad. We need our squad to fulfil our ambitions."

Bayern Munich's Marcel Sabitzer during the warm up before the match on September 11, 2021 © Reuters

However, Man United are said to be on the verge of signing Marcel Sabitzer on loan from Bayern Munich for the remainder of the 2022-23 campaign.

The Red Devils are expected to get a deal for the Austria international over the line before the deadline.

According to the Daily Mail, the 20-time English champions have also made an enquiry for Kamada, as his contract with Frankfurt is due to expire at the end of June.

The 26-year-old made the move to his German club in 2017, and he has represented them on 157 occasions in all competitions, contributing 36 goals and 31 assists in the process.

This season, Kamada has scored 12 goals and registered five assists in 25 appearances in all competitions, including seven goals and five assists in 16 Bundesliga outings.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag pictured before the match on January 18, 2023 © Reuters

The attacking midfielder was also a part of the Japan side that reached the last-16 stage of the 2022 World Cup, playing in all four games at the competition against Germany, Costa Rica, Spain and Croatia.

There have been suggestions that Frankfurt are open to a January exit, as they are reluctant to lose him on a free transfer at the end of the campaign.

As well as Eriksen, Scott McTominay is currently unavailable for Man United, while Donny van de Beek will miss the remainder of the campaign due to a serious knee injury.

The 20-time English champions are still competing in four competitions, with the club in the Europa League, FA Cup and EFL Cup, while they are bidding to secure a top-four finish in the Premier League table.