Former England defender Glen Johnson believes a January loan move for Christian Pulisic is unlikely for Manchester United.
The United States international has been linked with a move to Old Trafford with Erik ten Hag keen to add an attacking player to his squad, and Pulisic is thought to be free to leave having started just three league games all season.
With Jadon Sancho struggling for fitness and form, as well as the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo, United need to reinforce their attacking depth, hence links to Cody Gakpo of PSV Eindhoven.
However, Johnson has claimed that he cannot see Chelsea agreeing to loan a player to strengthen one of their rivals, as the Blues currently sit in eighth place – three places below United in the Premier League.
Johnson told GGRecon: “I can’t imagine Chelsea would let him move to Manchester United. He could end up bouncing back and really help them out, so I suppose the only reason you’d let him out on loan is to get his value up and then sell him.
“That’s the only reason why he’d go on loan at this stage, and I’d be very shocked if he goes to Manchester United.”
TIF Thoughts on Pulisic…
In our view, a loan deal in January does not make much sense for Chelsea or United. Chelsea would lose an attacker without recovering any of the £57.6m they paid Borussia Dortmund for Pulisic, whilst United would gain an out-of-form player with no long-term future at the club.
If a deal for Gakpo can be done, then he would represent a better option for the present and future at United given his extraordinary goalscoring form this season, with 13 goals and 17 assists prior to the World Cup.
Pulisic needs a move, but a permanent transfer would allow Graham Potter to replace him properly, and ideally Chelsea wouldn’t let him move to a rival, so we think United are better off looking elsewhere to bolster their ranks.