It’s turning out to be quite a busy deadline day for Manchester United, with the club already confirming the arrival of Brazilian winger Antony. Martin Dubravka, the Newcastle goalkeeper, is also expected to join.
On top of their transfer business, United are also in Premier League action as Erik ten Hag eyes three straight wins. Victory over the Foxes would fire United into fifth place.
Tahith Chong, the Dutch winger, will not be part of the squad at the King Power Stadium as he is closing in on a return to Birmingham City, where he spent part of last season on loan.
According to The Athletic, United have now agreed a fee with Birmingham over the 22-year-old. The Midlands club are currently sitting in the relegation zone in the Championship, with only four points separating them from bottom side Coventry.
Chong joined United from Feyenoord in 2016 and extended his contract in 2020 when it looked like he would be departing on a free transfer.
Read more: Antony deal takes United’s spending past £200m in Erik ten Hag’s first transfer window
Since then, he endured two tough loan spells at Werder Bremen and Club Brugge before finally finding his feet with Birmingham. Unfortunately, he was struck with a serious injury and was forced to cut that loan spell short.
Chong featured in most of United’s pre-season games this summer but he is now likely to depart Ten Hag’s side before tonight’s 11 pm deadline.
SN’s verdict…
With just one year remaining on his contract at United, it definitely feels like this is the right time to sell Chong. For the player, he’s at an age where he needs to play week in and week out to make up for lost years.
Chong never looked likely to break into the side under Ten Hag and the big-money arrival of Antony from Ajax complicates things further for the Dutchman.
Chong quickly became a fan-favourite at Birmingham last season and he will now hope to rekindle the form that earned him plaudits last term.
