Manchester United have work to do in the transfer market in the coming weeks as Michael Carrick hopes to strengthen his side ahead of their return to the Champions League
Welcome to our Manchester United transfer blog for Wednesday, July 8th.
United have been proactive to kickstart their summer transfer business by agreeing a £35million deal with Atalanta to sign Ederson. The midfielder should see his move confirmed soon following Brazil’s exit from the World Cup to Norway.
Despite that, strengthening Michael Carrick’s midfield remains the order of the day. The club decided against spending the lavish sums to sign Mateus Fernandes, Sandro Tonali and Elliot Anderson and are looking to be smarter in the market.
Alternatives won’t come cheap, however. Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni is said to be of interest, while Bournemouth have slapped an £80million valuation on Alex Scott.
Among the other players linked with Old Trafford are Sander Berge, Ayyoub Bouaddi and Felix Nmecha. Unsurprisingly, there will be no shortage of competition with the likes of Newcastle and Arsenal said to be in the market.
Central midfield is not United’s only area of interest. Netherlands and West Ham star Crysencio Summerville has been associated with adding to the club’s attacking depth, with talks said to be ongoing over a possible £50m move.
Marcus Rashford’s future also needs to be resolved following the end of his Barcelona loan. The England star is set to return to United following the World Cup as the parties work out a plan.
In terms of outgoings, Andre Onana has returned to Trabzonspor on another season‑long loan, while Casemiro has departed following the expiration of his contract.
Stay tuned with the latest rumours and updates from United here with us…
Manchester United want to sign Kaishu Sano but will face a tough task to land the midfielder.
Fussball Daten claim that United are behind Liverpool in the race for Sano, and the Merseyside club have contacted ‘the player’s representatives to explore personal terms and wage demands’.
Mainz wants €50-60m (£43-51m) to sell Sano.
Kaishu Sano of Japan and Carlos Henrique Casemiro of Brazil during the 2026 World Cup match between Brazil and Japan at Houston Stadium in Houston, United States, on June 29, 2026. (Photo by Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Chelsea’s midfielder is one of many names on United’s list, as Tyrone Marshall explained in the latest episode of the Manchester is Red podcast. However, you would be shocked if he is the man United sign solely to replace Casemiro. He is behind Fernandez and Caicedo in the pecking order at Chelsea and while they are two impressive midfielders, their back-up is not the level United should be aiming for to fill the key role in midfield.
There is no denying that Baleba has a keen interest in signing for United. Brighton’s midfielder clearly had his head turned by the Reds’ enquiry last summer and it is no surprise to hear he is still interested in a move to Old Trafford. However, is he the player you spend £100m on to replace Casemiro? That’s unclear especially after a dip in form last season.
(Image: OLI SCARFF, AFP via Getty Images)
While midfield is the club’s priority, United are apparently eyeing a move for a new full-back.
Borussia Dortmund and Norway defender Julian Ryerson is said to be on the club’s radar, according to Bild. The German side are planning to continue with him for now but it will be interesting to see how this develops.
The interest could also be an indication of Patrick Dorgu being considered an attacking option.
Julian Ryerson is of interest to Manchester United(Image: GSI/Icon Sport via Getty Images)
Manchester United are keeping tabs on Fulham midfielder Sander Berge, per the Athletic.
The Norway star is preparing to face England this weekend after impressing on his nation’s route to a first World Cup quarter-final. And the 28-year-old has turned enough heads to make his way onto United’s shortlist, should they miss out on their main targets, it is claimed.
Fulham midfielder Sander Berge challenges Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the ball at Craven Cottage. (Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)
Manchester United have already had two meetings with Andrey Santos’ agent Giuliano Bertolucci, per Fabrizio Romano.
The communication started in February and March, with ‘good feedback’ between the two parties.
Brighton star Carlos Baleba remains interested in a move to Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano. The midfielder was wanted by United last summer but was priced out of a move by the Seagulls.
It is claimed his value has dropped to around £70m 12 months on, with the prospect of a move ‘cold’ at the moment.
But Baleba is said to be ‘super keen’.
Carlos Baleba in action against Manchester United last season(Image: Glyn KIRK / AFP via Getty Images)
Transfer guru Ekrem Konur reports that Manchester United and their Premier League rivals are interested in testing Paris Saint-Germain’s resolve to keep Ibrahim Mbaye this summer.
With the Senegal star interested in an exit, PSG are said to be willing to consider bids around £30m. However, it is claimed that offers are being prepared in the region of £21m.
Ibrahim Mbaye of PSG(Image: Getty Images)
While United have been perturbed by the transfer fees for some of their midfield targets, Bournemouth’s £80m valuation of Alex Scott has not yet seen them end their interest.
United remain in the race, with reports suggesting they have held talks over a move. The Cherries still want to extend his contract, however.
Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has been linked with a move to Manchester United(Image: Rob Newell – CameraSport via Getty Images)
United have an eclectic mix of midfield alternatives. With the club’s shortlist narrowing, seven names now feature, according to the Sun.
Chelsea star Andrey Santos makes it, as does Wolves’ Joao Gomes. Nico Gonzalez, Boubacar Kamara, Habib Diarra, Yasin Ayari and Jacob Ramsey are all noted as options too.
Some surprises there.
Man United have been linked with Andrey Santos(Image: Getty Images)
More on Tchouameni, reports suggest that United are willing to stump up in excess of £85m.
However, the Frenchman will be required to take a pay cut to facilitate that. But, United are fully prepared to get a deal done if Real Madrid confirm they are open to agreeing a trasfer, it is claimed.
Aurelien Tchouameni of France in World Cup action against Sweden.(Image: Jean Catuffe/Getty Images)
Manchester United are expected to make contact with Real Madrid for Aurelien Tchouameni in the coming days, per reports.
A deal will only be sanctioned by Los Blancos if the price reaches €100million (£85m).
Aurelien Tchouameni is still a firm transfer target for Manchester United(Image: (Photo by Jean Catuffe/Getty Images))
Thanks for joining us for another day of Manchester United news and transfer updates.
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