The January transfer window is reaching its fever pitch, and a familiar name is dominating the headlines in Portugal. As of Friday, January 30, 2026, FC Porto are reportedly pushing to finalize a deal for Manchester United left-back Tyrell Malacia.
With the deadline just 48 hours away, the Dragões have transitioned from "admirers" to "active negotiators" as they look to provide competition for Wendell and solve their depth issues on the left flank.
The "Dragão" Strategy: Why Porto?
Porto’s interest in the 26-year-old Dutchman is not new, but several factors have converged to make a deal "highly likely" before the window shuts:
The Carrick Connection: Following the recent appointment of Michael Carrick as Manchester United manager, the squad is undergoing a rapid transition.
Malacia, who was reintegrated into the squad in October after an 18-month injury nightmare, has found minutes hard to come by under the new regime.
The "Bomb Squad" Exit: Malacia was famously part of the "bomb squad" of outcasts earlier in the season. While teammates like Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho moved on, Malacia remained—but he is now reportedly "seeking an immediate solution" to find regular playing time.
Contract Leverage: With his contract at Old Trafford set to expire in June 2026, Porto are currently weighing up a small permanent bid now or securing a cut-price deal, knowing United may lose him for free in the summer.
Fabrizio Romano: "Tyrell Malacia is 100% expected to leave Manchester United. Porto are the most concrete option right now, but clubs in Italy and Turkey are also waiting in the wings. The player wants to play, and Porto offers him Champions League pedigree."
The Verdict: While Roma and Beşiktaş remain interested, Porto’s project seems the most appealing to Malacia. If the clubs can agree on a fee—likely around €5m–€8m given his contract status—expect the Dutchman to be on a flight to Northern Portugal before Monday night.