Updated: 24 Apr 2026 15:10 BST |
5 min read
Manchester United’s preparations for the summer transfer window continue at a pace, with major updates on a €90 million target as well as Elliot Anderson and Michael Carrick.
‘Big bid’ for Elliot Anderson confirmed
Fabrizio Romano has said that there is a “big” bid for Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliott Anderson set to be lodged from Manchester – but it’s City who are poised to make the first move for the England star.
Anderson has been earmarked as Man Utd’s dream midfield target, but they face taking on the financial might of their neighbours if they are to complete the deal.
Romano told his YouTube channel: “My understanding is that financially Manchester City would be prepared to offer really important money to the player. So City are going very strong on this deal. They are very keen.
“Then there is the negotiation with Nottingham Forest, and that is a separate topic because it will happen later, not now, and it depends on whether Forest stay in the Premier League or not. It will also be important to understand the final price.
“Manchester United remain in the battle too. But at the moment, the situation is clear: Manchester City are leading the race, as I told you before. United are still there and watching the situation in case City cannot close the deal.”
Micky van de Ven battle begins
Tottenham centre-back Micky van de Ven has been earmarked as a potential first summer signing for Man Utd, but they will have to beat Liverpool to the signing of the defender.
Spurs have placed a €90 million price tag on the player, according to Nicolo Schira. This is significantly higher than his Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) of €62m.
United see Van de Ven as the type of player who can make an immediate impact at Old Trafford, but FootballTransfers’ analysis suggests that they might have things muddled for the centre-back.
Man Utd ‘gathering information’ on Leao
Rafael Leao is the latest winger to be studied by Man Utd for the possibility of a summer move, Calciomercato reports.
His relationship with Milan is “almost at breaking point” but the Rossoneri are still unwilling to sell the Portugal at a bargain price.
Leao’s contract talks with Milan have stalled, and while Barcelona have gone cool on the player, Man Utd have been “gathering information” on a potential deal.
Baleba’s valuation slashed
Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba remains a candidate to sign for the Red Devils in the summer, but they have so far been unwilling to match the Seagulls’ asking price.
United were told it would take a bid of more than £100m (€120m) to sign the Cameroon international last summer, at which point the Old Trafford side would not go above £75m.
Now United have completely reassessed the player’s value, according to Laurie Whitwell on Talk of the Devils, and will not go above £50m.
“I doubt Brighton would accept that,” the Man Utd transfer expert says.
Carrick’s future under question
Michael Carrick may have enjoyed a strong period as Man Utd interim manager, but owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is ‘cautious’ over the prospect of giving him the role on a full-time basis.
The former midfielder’s personality is not what the Ineos supremo wants from his boss, with Ratcliffe reportedly favouring a more “alpha” figure for the task.
“There’s a sense of some hesitancy, or some caution, from the hierarchy,” The Athletic’s Man Utd correspondent Laurie Whitwell explained on Talk of the Devils.
“I think Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a pivotal figure in this – on whether Carrick should get the job, whether Ratcliffe would want somebody that is of a personality, a stature, that he would see as fitting Manchester United.”
Ratcliffe would reportedly like a personality type more like that of previous boss Ruben Amorim.
