Manchester United are considering paying £43m for a star who could help solve one of the problem areas of the Premier League giants for Michael Carrick
Manchester United have just days left to make new signings before the Premier League season begins.
Michael Carrick’s men travel to Hull City at lunchtime on Saturday, following a 4-2 thumping by AC Milan in their last pre-season friendly, which again highlighted the need for new recruits, particularly in a defence in need of freshening up.
The clock is ticking as the transfer window will slam shut on September 1 and despite signing two first team midfielders, in the form of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, United are yet to pull off the kind of revamp fans or Carrick himself will have hoped for after guiding the Red Devils back into the Champions League with a third placed finish in May. Here’s all the latest news from Old Trafford.
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Fernandes talks ongoing
United are in discussions with captain Bruno Fernandes over a new contract in a bid to ward off any potential departure, reports the Mirror
Following interest from clubs in Saudi Arabia, now Turkish giants Galatasaray have emerged as the latest suitors with offers of a lucrative deal should the Portugal star join this summer.
The Turkish giants are prepared to table £43million for Fernandes, who could double his £300,000-a-week wages in the Super Lig. However, United are pulling out all the stops to ensure their captain stays put.
The 31-year-old is fresh from a campaign in which he shattered the record for the most Premier League assists in a single season (21).
And it appears Carrick will once again make the playmaker – the current Premier League Player of the Year who turns 32 in September – a cornerstone of his plans for this term.
Fernandes has entered the final 12 months of his existing deal, which contains the option of a 12-month extension. Sky Sports News revealed that United’s position is their skipper is not for sale at any price.
United quoted Tapsoba price
Bayer Leverkusen have told interested parties they’ll need to stump up £43million if they wish to secure centre-back Edmond Tapsoba this summer.
The Burkina Faso international has already been connected with United, while Newcastle and Tottenham are also said to be monitoring the situation.
Tapsoba, 27, has been linked with a Premier League move on multiple occasions. He arrived at Leverkusen from Portuguese outfit Vitoria Guimaraes in 2020 and has featured in 237 matches for the German club, claiming a Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double in 2024.
According to fussballdaten, Leverkusen would entertain a departure if a suitor were to match that £43m asking price.
It’s worth highlighting that the 6ft 4in defender penned a fresh five-year deal just months ago, demonstrating the German side clearly prize his commitment.
But it’s clear United need a new centre-back with quality and experience. Matthijs de Ligt hasn’t played since last November, as he has been recovering from a back injury, which required surgery.
Harry Maguire has never lived up to the staggering price tag of his world record £80m transfer, while doubts also remain over Lisandro Martinez – also freshly back from injury.
Meanwhile, talented young prospects Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven are yet to prove themselves at Old Trafford.