Manchester United have until 11pm to complete the loan signing of Marcel Sabitzer from Bayern Munich.
The Austrian midfielder, 28, emerged as a last-minute target for Erik ten Hag after United were hit with the crushing news that Christian Eriksen would be out for three months. Sabitzer was spotted en route to Manchester with just over six hours left before the January transfer window closed, with the former RB Leipzig captain keen on the move which won't include an option to buy.
His arrival can be completed despite the fact that the German transfer market already slammed shut at 5pm UK time. Crucially, the closing of that window doesn't prevent Bundesliga clubs from offloading players. With United and their fellow Premier League sides able to sign players until their own 11pm deadline, Sabitzer is still able to the switch - so long as Old Trafford chiefs are quick enough.
United must ensure that the all-important deal sheet is submitted to the Premier League before 11pm, which has scuppered many moves in previous years. Sky Germany caught Sabitzer arriving at Munich airport just before the German window closed.
The Austrian has spent the past 18 months at Bayern working under ex-Leipzig boss Julian Nagelsmann. Unfortunately for Sabitzer - who's able to play in a multitude of midfield roles - he's struggled to make an impact at the Allianz Arena. That's why former Liverpool star Dietmar Hamann has been taken aback by the potential transfer.
"I am pretty surprised they are interested because I am not sure he will help them straight away" Hamann explained to Sky Sports News. "He is a good squad player to have but whether he makes an immediate impact I'm not sure."
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With Eriksen out until late April, joining fellow midfielder and long-term absentee Donny van de Beek on the sidelines, Ten Hag is keen to add reinforcements to his side, who remain in with a shout of winning four trophies this season. Sabitzer's arrival would bolster the Red Devils' dwindling midfield department, with the 28-year-old bringing both experience and guile.
That's what they need, too, according to ex- Arsenal hero Paul Merson, who's made it clear how big of a miss he reckons that Eriksen will be. "He's a massive part of that team. I'm a massive fan of his. He gives them that guile that can open up defences," Merson told Sky.
"Man United are starting to earn that reputation again, where sides go to Old Trafford and sit 10 men behind the ball. A couple of years ago teams thought 'well have a go here. "Now that teams are sitting back, Christian Eriksen was the one that opened teams up. I think he's a big miss. Out of every player, Eriksen would be the one I would miss most if I was a Man United."
