Man Utd Transfer News Today: Romano on Branthwaite, Barca bid CONFIRMED and WONDERKID signs

Graham Shaw

18 Jun 2024 09:06 BST
11 min read

Fabrizio Romano, Man Utd, 2023/24 — © IMAGO

Man Utd will not pay the infamous 'Man Utd tax' as they look to get a deal over the line for Everton central defender Jarrad Branthwaite.

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The young star is highly rated by the Toffees, so highly that they reportedly want a fee of 80m to prise him away from Goodison Park.

Branthwaite though - who has made less than 50 Premier League appearances - is valued at just 26.2m by our ETV (Estimated Transfer Value) algorithm.

Romano says United appear to broadly agree with that sort of valuation - and made an initial bid of around 40m.

Everton reportedly described that offer as 'crazy' but the don of transfer reporters Romano says United will not budge from their position, particularly with FFP rules biting into summer window transfer budgets.

He said the Red Devils will do business at an acceptable price - but nothing near the figure Everton want. If not, they will move on to other targets.

Man Utd bid for Barcelona sensation Fermin Lopez

Man Utd have made a bid for exciting Barcelona midfield sensation Fermin Lopez as they look to beef up their squad for the 2024-25 season.

The new transfer structure at Old Trafford - with much of the power now taken away from Erik ten Hag - is looking to make best use of what might be a limited budget this summer.

And the 21-year-old Fermin is apparently very much on their radar as they look for new recruits to add to the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo in the Old Trafford engine room.

According to Catalan outlet Sport, the Red Devils have opened the bidding for Fermin at 30m.

The report though goes on to say that the offer is not even close to being enough to persuade Barca to sell. The cash-strapped Catalans see him as an important piece of their future - UNLESS they get an offer that is impossible to refuse. That old chestnut...

Lopez enjoyed a terrific season for the Blaugrana, and is now in the Spain Euro 2024 squad in Germany.

Teen prodigy who is 'the new Cafu' SIGNS for Man Utd

Manchester United have completed their first signing of the summer, and their new arrival has been compared to Brazil legend Cafu.

Multiple sources reported on Monday evening that the Red Devils have agreed a deal to sign 16-year-old right back James Overy.

Official confirmation is expected to arrive from Old Trafford in the coming hours.

Overy will join Man Utd as a first-year scholar and will begin the season with United’s under-18s.

The youngster first impressed at Perth Glory in Australia before relocating with his family in England last year where he starred for Newton Abbot Spurs’ first team.

United beat West Ham and Leicester to the signature of the right back.

Manchester United have completed the signing of sixteen-year-old James Overy, as per @StevenRailston, following the right-back’s departure from Perth Glory and subsequent relocation with his family to England.

A highly offensive-minded full-back with impressive athleticism and… pic.twitter.com/pMgiEMG1LL
— SCOOP. (@AcademyScoop) June 17, 2024

So what kind of player is Overy?

His former coach Marc Revell said: “He is very much of an attacking wingback, suited to today’s modern game where the fullback spends most of their time in the opponent’s half.

“Tenacious, aggressive going forward and very skilful with a great technique.

“He is a wonderfully polite and humble young man.”

United in Focus also report that Revell compares Overy to Brazil legends Cafu and Roberto Carlos.

Man Utd interest in Xavi Simons CONFIRMED

Man Utd have confirmed their interest in signing Dutch midfield sensation Xavi Simons this summer.

The 21-year-old prodigy impressed for RB Leipzig in the Bundesliga last season - providing 8 goals and 11 assists in 32 starts.

Simons though remains a PSG player and it appears all options are open this summer.

While Luis Enrique might like to have Simons back at Parc des Princes as the French giants move away from their previous strategy of signing high-priced finished objects, it appears the player himself is not a fan of that plan.

While another season on loan in Leipzig is a possibility, Simons could also be sold for a handsome profit.

And according to French sporting bible L'Equipe Man Utd are one of the clubs who have now registered an interest in Simons.

Any move would not be straightforward for the new Red Devils transfer brains trust though - Simons is also wanted by Arsenal, Manchester City and Bayern Munich.

Joao Neves latest as Man Utd continue to hunt Portuguese wonderkid

Man Utd will face a challenge from PSG in their bid to sign brilliant young Portuguese midfielder Joao Neves, according to reports from Spain today (Monday June 17, 2024).

The 19-year-old prodigy has been brilliant since bursting into the Benfica first team - leading the Lisbon giants to a league title in 2022-23.

But now most of Europe's top clubs are circling in the knowledge that Benfica will likely sell IF the price is right.

Man Utd are confirmed Joao Neves admirers, and reportedly opened the bidding with an offer of €60m last week. That was swiftly rebuffed with Benfica holding out for the €120m release clause in Neves' current contract.

PSG are now set to enter the fray though, with the French giants and Luis Enrique giving the green light for a swoop according to Madrid daily AS.

It is believed that Benfica realise that €120m figure is unlikely to be achieved, but are ready to do business at around €100m.

Leny Yoro LATEST as Man Utd face PSG challenge

Manchester United target Leny Yoro has spoken to Paris Saint-Germain regarding a possible transfer from Lille.

The 18-year-old is set to be involved in a transfer tug-of-war this summer amid significant interest in his services, but Real Madrid remain his most likely destination.

READ MORE: Euro 2024 top scorers

It has previously been suggested that Los Blancos are unwilling to overpay for the teenager, but they remain in pole position to sign Yoro before the summer transfer window ends.

Man Utd are still interested in landing the Lille defender, however they have an uphill battle to sign him due to competition from Real Madrid and PSG.

Erik ten Hag’s side are also keen on Everton’s Jarrad Branthwaite and the Red Devils are currently prioritising a move for the Toffees star.

© IMAGO - Leny Yoro is a transfer target for Man Utd.

Barca holding out hope for unlikely Kobbie Mainoo transfer

Barcelona remain interested in signing Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, according to reports in Spain.

The England international, who is currently at Euro 2024 with his nation, starred during his debut campaign in Man Utd’s first-team and he has attracted significant interest from Barcelona as a result.

Mainoo made 35 appearances in his first ever season of senior football, scoring five goals and providing three assists. He has been named as one of Man Utd’s ‘untouchable’ stars in recent weeks, but Barcelona are monitoring his situation at Old Trafford as they ponder a summer pursuit.

According to Diario Sport, Man Utd’s prolonged contract talks with Mainoo have given Barcelona hope of securing a deal and Deco, the Blaugrana’s sporting director, is keen to bring the Englishman to Camp Nou.

Mainoo’s current deal at Man Utd runs until 2027, but he is in talks with the club regarding a new contract, with his salary expected to increase dramatically. However, an agreement is yet to be reached and Barca believe there is a chance that Mainoo could be available this summer.

Ten Hag drops Tuchel BOMBSHELL after keeping his Man Utd job

We now know that Erik ten Hag will remain as Manchester United manage for the 2024-25 season, despite massive speculation he would be relieved of his duties after a disappointing second season in charge.

One of the main reported targets to replace ten Hag was of course former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel.

And ten Hag has now revealed that United did in fact speak to Tuchel, before apparently deciding to maintain the status quo in M16.

Speaking to NOS, Ten Hag said: "Manchester United have told me that they spoke with Tuchel, but they eventually came to the conclusion that they already have the best manager."

The Dutchman added: "Manchester United and I still have to find an agreement for the new contract. This isn't easily done, we are still going to have to talk about this."

Lindelof a Mourinho target as former Man Utd boss set to swoop

Manchester United could receive a massive boost to their summer transfer plans courtesy of former manager Jose Mourinho, who is looking to bring one of his old players to Fenerbahce.

Mourinho was appointed manager of the Turkish side earlier this month and the Portuguese legend appears to have wasted no time in making his demands for the transfer market.

The 61-year-old spent two years at Old Trafford between 2016 and 2018, with one of his major signings being Victor Lindelof from Benfica for €35 million in 2017.

And the Swedish international is said to be ‘the first name’ on Mourinho’s list to strengthen in defence at Fenerbahce, with Turkish outlet Fotomac claiming an attempt to sign Lindelof has already begun.

Lindelof made just 14 Premier League starts last season and is entering the final 12 months of his contract with United, with Fener likely to make an offer of €8m for the 29-year-old.

Man Utd look to Austria for cost-effective defensive option

While Man Utd are so often linked with gaudy transfer fees, they might be about to move for a much more cost-effective option as they look to shore up their defence.

According to reports from France the Red Devils are weighing up a move for Oumar Solet, now at Red Bull Salzburg after joining from Lyon as a youngster.

Solet will be out of contract next summer, and Salzburg are reportedly looking for a fee of €12-15m.