Transfer Rumours: Man Utd identify new €40m target as Mateus Fernandes deal ridiculed

17 May 2026 06:33 BST |
6 min read

Multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer.

FootballTransfers runs through the biggest rumours and gossip from 17 May, including the latest updates on Mateus Fernandes, Christos Tzolis and Yan Diomande.

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Fernandes valuation laughed off

Agents from around the industry have laughed off suggestions that West Ham could receive anywhere close to their touted €100 million asking price for Mateus Fernandes, as per Claret & Hugh.

The Hammers believe that they are “not a selling club” and that they are well within their rights to demand a hefty fee for Fernandes, given the level of interest in his services this summer amid links with Arsenal and Man Utd.

However, they are set to be given a “reality check” when no clubs come forward with the intention of matching their asking price, particularly if they suffer relegation to the Championship.

Man Utd eye Tzolis

Aston Villa, Juventus and “especially” Man Utd are showing an interest in Club Brugge star Christos Tzolis, Gazet van Antwerpen reports.

The Greek winger has produced eye-watering numbers in his two seasons in Belgium, notching 40 goals and 40 assists in 105 appearances. Crystal Palace were interested last year, but Brugge turned down a €32m bid.

The Belgian giants are looking to make Tzolis their new club-record sale, which means that he will cost north of the €36m AC Milan paid for Ardon Jashari last year. The 24-year-old is ready for the next step in his career.

Diomande happy to stay at Leipzig

Yan Diomande is increasingly warming to the idea of staying at RB Leipzig for another season, TEAMtalk claims.

The Ivory Coast international is one of Europe’s most in-demand commodities this summer, fielding interest from Arsenal, Liverpool and Man Utd. Internally, the Red Bull group views him as their best talent since Erling Haaland.

Leipzig would prefer to keep him for a second season and have slapped a €100m price tag on his head. Liverpool have held talks, but there has been less progress than club chiefs expected, with the €100m valuation proving a stumbling block.

Diomande is content at Leipzig and could stay after being told by clubs like Real Madrid and PSG that they could be willing to do a deal in 2027, with Bayern also among the clubs that would only make a move next year at the earliest.

Tonali “up for sale”

Man Utd are battling to sign Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, who is “up for sale,” asserts Corriere della Sera.

It is expected that a “monstrous” offer will arrive for the Italy international. Tonali is a dream target for Juventus, but the finances involved are simply not manageable for the Old Lady.

Instead, he is destined to move within the Premier League, and Man Utd are “the team furthest ahead” in the race for his signature. However, Arsenal and Man City have also been linked with the midfielder.

Gibbs-White to stay at Forest

Nottingham Forest are growing increasingly confident that they will be able to fend off interest in Morgan Gibbs-White, TEAMtalk writes.

Forest are determined to avoid a summer exodus, with David Ornstein recently reporting that they are planning to keep “all” of their key players. However, it is likely that they will lose Elliot Anderson as he is one of the Premier League’s most sought-after commodities.

Gibbs-White, on the other hand, is in a “very different” situation. Despite strong and long-standing interest from various big-hitters, Forest are calm over their captain’s future after he signed a new long-term contract last year.

More transfer rumours

Newcastle have held a meeting with AS Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara, but Liverpool are also “extremely keen” on a deal. (Foot Mercato)

Alessandro Bastoni’s potential move from Inter to Barcelona has lost momentum and is now in doubt due to his cost and unwillingness to agitate for a transfer. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

Chelsea target Karim Coulibaly could be sold by Werder Bremen and then loaned back to the Bundesliga side this summer. (BILD)

Barcelona have withdrawn from the race to sign Atletico Madrid striker Julian Alvarez because he is too expensive. (Sport)

Benfica are willing to listen to offers for Man Utd-linked midfielder Richard Rios. (A Bola)

Inter goalkeeper Yann Sommer has turned down a return to Basel. (Nicolo Schira)

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Tom Weber is an experienced, multilingual sports writer who specialises in European football and American soccer as part of his freelance work for FootballTransfers.

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