Transfer rumors, news: Man United outline preferred midfield targets

Manchester United have outlined their transfer targets for the summer, while another European giant has entered the race for the out-of-contract Bayern Munich midfielder. Leon Goretzka.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– The Sun claims that Manchester United want to sign four recruits during the summer transfer window. United want to bring in two midfielders to compensate Casemirodeparture from Newcastle United Sandro TonaliCrystal Palace Adam WhartonNottingham Forest Elliot AndersonBrighton & Hove Albion’s Carlos Baleba and AFC Bournemouth Alex Scott being of interest. They also want a left center back option just in case Harry Maguire leaves and could look to recruit a backup goalie with Altai Bayindir ready to go.

– Manchester United apparently won’t have everything their way when it comes to Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Andersonas the Daily Mail reported they would face competition with Bayern Munich ready to increase their interest in the 23-year-old. There have also been various reports in recent times linking Manchester City with the England international, who now has six caps to his name and has impressed despite Forest’s struggles.

– After Calciomercato linked Leon Goretzka along with AC Milan, Inter Milan and Arsenal, as previously reported on our blog, La Gazzetta dello Sport reported that Juventus also want the Bayern Munich midfielder who will be a free agent this summer. Juve have made two failed attempts to sign the 31-year-old Germany international during his career, and they are set to make a third. Luciano Spalletti has now put Goretzka at the top of his list for the summer and Juventus are pushing to beat out the competition for his signature.

– Barcelona very likely to sign João Cancelo if it is possible to do so on a free transfer, Diario Sport reports, with the full-back on loan from Al Hilal. The 31-year-old’s contract with the Saudi Pro League club runs until 2027 but the Portuguese international is reportedly willing to give up a significant portion of his salary to join Barca permanently following his second loan spell at the Catalan club.

– Juventus are increasingly confident in their ability to sign Lorenzo Pellegrini as a free agent, with the attacking midfielder’s contract with AS Roma set to expire this summer, reports La Gazzetta dello Sport. Pellegrini has a salary of €4 million and few clubs are willing to move for him, while the 29-year-old wants to play somewhere where he can feel important and win trophies, which makes Juve a good choice given the respect Luciano Spalletti has for him after the two men worked together.

EXPERT OPINION

Manchester United are looking to expand their squad this summer, but will it come amid a clearance? Mark Ogden, senior editor at ESPN, writes:

INEOS is still trying to undo the damage caused by several disastrous transfer windows in which the club overspent on signing mediocre players – several of whom remain at the club on high salaries. United still owe £422 million in unpaid transfer payments, and £238 million of that is expected to be repaid by the end of next season, but they are unlikely to recoup their spending on players, notably Rasmus Hojlund (signed for £64 million), Joshua Zirkzee (£36.5 million), Manuel Ugarté (£50.5 million), André Onana (£43.8 million) and Mason mount (£55 million).

United will listen to offers for all – Hojlund and Onana are on loan to Napoli and Trabzonspor respectively this season – while sources have said they are confident Marcus Rashford will find a new team this summer, even if Barcelona choose not to complete a deal for a pre-agreed fee of £26 million at the end of his season-long loan at Camp Nou.

Jadon SanchoUnited’s disastrous career – the former England winger arrived in a £73m move from Borussia Dortmund in 2021 – will end this summer when his contract expires, saving United £300,000 a week in wages, while the defender Tyrell Malacia will also leave as a free agent.

The future of Harry Maguire remains pending. The 33-year-old is out of contract this summer, but he has played an important role when fit this season, anchoring the defence, mentoring the team’s younger players and posing a real threat from set pieces.

ESPN sources have said a new deal could still be offered by United, but with reduced wages and potentially only for another 12 months. Although Maguire’s experience is valued by United, ESPN sources have said the England defender is likely to be offered a longer contract and a better financial package elsewhere, so any decision regarding his future could come down to whether the player wants to stay at United or seek greater financial security at another club.

OTHER RUMORS

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– Manchester United are in discussions with Barcelona regarding Marcus Rashfordwith the £26m option to make the futures loan permanent currently seen as a barrier to a deal. (Football Insider)

– Liverpool consider potential move for Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga with Los Blancos ready to accept offers worth more than £43m. (Football Insider)

– Some foreign clubs, notably from the Premier League, have requested information on the AC Milan winger Rafael Léãowhich could be available for around 70 million euros. (Nicolo Schira)

– There is a substantial offer from the Saudi Pro League for the Internazionale striker Marcus Thuram. (Tuttosport)

– Juventus scout was present during Sassuolo’s 1-0 defeat to Bologna to monitor Ismaël Koné. (Nicolo Schira)

– Gabriel Martinelli, Myles Lewis-Skelly And Ethan Nwaneri all face uncertainty over their future with Arsenal. (Time)

– Brighton consider signing Nordsjaelland midfielder Caleb Yirenkyi as long-term successor to Carlos Baleba amid interest from Manchester United in the Cameroon international. (TEAMtalk)

– Morgane Rogers could move away from Aston Villa if they fail to qualify for the Champions League. (Football Insider)

– Amid Premier League interest in Bazoumana ToureHoffenheim are demanding a record sum, higher than the 43.5 million euros received for Joelinton if the 20-year-old winger has to leave. (Sky Sports Germany)

– Monaco wants left-back from Cercle de Bruges Nazinho and there were positive discussions between the parties. (Matteo Moretto)

– Filip Kostic is set to leave Juventus as a free agent in January, with Juve not keen to renew the winger’s contract, which expires in June. (Nicolo Schira)

– Goalkeeper Joseph Martinez could leave Internazionale this summer in search of more playing time. (Nicolo Schira)