Manchester United Transfer News: Adnan Januzaj Fee Set Amid Sunderland Rumours

Manchester United have reportedly slapped a £10 million valuation on Adnan Januzaj, with Sunderland said to be keen on signing the youngster.

That’s according to Alan Nixon of the Sun, who has reported that new Black Cats boss David Moyes is keen to acquire the winger, whose career has stalled at Old Trafford.

Januzaj is said to want a permanent transfer, although a loan deal would be preferable for Sunderland at this juncture.

The 21-year-old burst on to the scene as a teenager when Moyes was in charge, scoring a stunning brace against Sunderland and subsequently raising expectations. Unfortunately, they were standards he could never live up to under the Scot’s predecessor Louis van Gaal or on loan at Borussia Dortmund last term.

Here is a look at some of the few highlights the United man enjoyed during his time at the Westfalenstadion:

With Jose Mourinho now in charge, it seems unlikely the winger will be getting too much in terms of playing time, especially after losing the No. 11 jersey to Anthony Martial.

Now is certainly the right time for the Belgium international to make a move in his career. Moyes seemed like a manager who was willing to nurture the spark he evidently possesses, but the player didn’t do enough to preserve a spot in the first team, nor enough to force his way back into the side.

It’d be a shame for United to lose a player who’s been at the club since 2011 and was tipped to be one of the academy’s star graduates.

Sports journalist Liam Canning feels that if United are to lose Januzaj on a permanent deal, they should make contingency plans:

A fresh start and a blank canvas to work with at a new club are what Januzaj needs. For all the good work United have done for him, the youngster needs to cut ties with the Old Trafford club and focus on developing as a player in a side that’ll consistently offer him a key part to play. 

Dortmund boss Thomas Tuchel said as much when reflecting on Januzaj’s loan spell. “It is a pity he did not show the desire and attitude you need to progress at his age,” he told Sport Bild (h/t the Daily Telegraph). “My feeling was that he never was completely with us, that a part of him always stayed in Manchester and he compared everything here with United.”

The Sunderland boss is a big fan of the player, though. “If anyone of those players want to join us, I would be happy to have them because they are excellent players,” said Moyes of a possible move for Januzaj or Marouane Fellaini recently, per Nick Lustig of Sky Sports. “We are interested, but I am sure a host of other clubs are too.”

Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images

Alex Shaw of ESPN FC believes that both players would be decent captures on the part of the Black Cats:

Januzaj is still in the early stages of his career and the hope is that having gone through so much at such a big club, he can take that experience to a new environment and blossom. Sunderland and the north-east may pose something of a culture shock if he was to move there, although it’d allow him to focus squarely on football.

Should Januzaj do that and show the application a manager like Moyes will demand, there’s no reason why he can’t still fulfil his potential under his former United boss.