Manchester United have put a former Manchester City academy player on their transfer shortlist this summer, according to reports.

On Wednesday, the Red Devils confirmed their retained list ahead of the 2026-27 season. The departures of Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho were confirmed following the end of their contracts.

Casemiro is also leaving the club but that had already been announced before the end of the campaign.

United are keen to add at least two midfielders to their squad for next term after they finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League.

Michael Carrick has been appointed as permanent manager on a two-year deal as he prepares for his first full season in charge at Old Trafford.

Man Utd target Fisayo Dele-Bashiru

via Reuters

According to Sky Sports, Lazio midfielder Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a player on United’s transfer wishlist.

The 25-year-old Nigeria international has been with the Italian club since 2024, joining on loan for one year before his move was made permanent 12 months ago.

He is familiar with English football after coming through the academy at Man City. He never made a senior appearance for the Etihad Stadium outfit but spent three years at Sheffield Wednesday after leaving City.

He has two years to run on his contract with Lazio but he is open to a Premier League switch, having spent his formative years in England. United have several options on their shortlist ahead of the new season, with Elliot Anderson remaining a key target.

Fisayo Dele-Bashiru could prove to be bargain

Jim Rassol/IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters

Nottingham Forest are standing firm on their valuation of the England international, however. It has been reported that an offer worth up to £120m has been submitted by City.

Forest want £120m guaranteed with City’s offer standing at £106m plus add-ons.

Meanwhile, Dele-Bashiru is only valued at around £15.5m by Lazio. If United are seeking two additions to their midfielder, the former Owls midfielder could prove to be a shrewd option.

Lazio boss Maurizio Sarri was full of praise for the player earlier in the season when he scored in the Coppa Italia semi-final. After the game, the ex-Chelsea manager highlighted the player’s lightning-quick pace, as he revealed the midfielder can ‘reach speeds of 36 km/h‘.

The moves of Declan Rice and Moises Caicedo to Arsenal and Chelsea three years ago have inflated the midfield market and the Red Devils could find joy in signing a player such as Dele-Bashiru.

There is no doubting Anderson’s obvious quality, but signing players for huge fees can prove risky while they are also deals which can take up a lot of time.

Manchester United’s interest in a potential wonderkid winger has been knocked back, as FootMercato reports that talks have opened with a rival club for their signature.

The Red Devils are keen to bolster their whole squad after confirming a return to the Champions League next season, with an increased playing schedule and step up in quality set to test the managerial acumen of Michael Carrick to the extremes.

The midfield has been the main area of focus so far, with the central ranks in more immediate need of improvement following Casemiro’s exit as a free agent.

Beyond several potential moves there, Man United are also looking at options to bring some quality to the forward ranks who can compete with the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha, and Benjamin Sesko.

A particular emphasis is set to be placed on promising talents for the future, but one target could now move elsewhere.

Afonso Moreira Transfer Talks

Manon Cruz Via Reuters

Manchester United have shown interest in a move for Lyon winger Afonso Moreira, after the 21-year-old star impressed in Ligue 1 over the previous campaign.

Reports claimed that the Red Devils had made contact for Moreira to land a potential bargain deal for the Portuguese forward, who looks set for an exit over the summer.

However, according to FootMercato, Bayer Leverkusen have opened talks with Lyon to try and get a deal over the line for the star in the coming days.

It comes as the French club need to sell by June 30th to comply with finance rules in the division, with Atletico Madrid among the other teams to express interest.

Leverkusen’s push to sign Moreira comes as a blow to Man United, who may struggle to guarantee game time for the youngster as he looks to progress.

Missing out on the youngster, who has been described as “talented”, would be a potential missed opportunity to land a future star.

Man United Forward Depth

Manchester United need to add forward depth, but the wide areas may not be as much of a priority as the centre-forward role this summer.

On the wings, Cunha and Mbeumo are regular options, backed up with quality in Amad Diallo and Patrick Dorgu, who have chipped in plenty over the past season.

Up front may be more of a consideration because of a potential exit for Joshua Zirkzee. That would leave just Benjamin Sesko as a regular centre-forward.

A versatile option such as Iliman Ndiaye could be on the cards, as he is capable of playing as a central striker, as well as on the wings if required.

It remains to be seen who could be next up, but it looks unlikely to be Moreira.

Arsenal’s summer transfer plans could take a twist as a forward has been linked with a potential exit from the club, according to reports from beIN Sports.

Mikel Arteta and Andrea Berta are looking to bolster the options available in the frontline this summer, acknowledging that perhaps a little more spark is needed in the final third.

A left-winger appears to be the priority, alongside another possible striker or a number ten that could bring some cutting edge to the Gunners where they need it most.

Given the depth in the squad, however, Arsenal will need to facilitate some exits that may appear to be ruthless considering the players available.

As those transfer moves are being pondered, contact has already been made that could see a key player leave in the coming weeks.

Leandro Trossard Transfer Exit

According to the report from beIN Sports, Besiktas have made contact with Arsenal in an attempt to sign Leandro Trossard in the summer transfer window.

Serdal Adalı, the club’s president, is believed to be the one who has spoken to the Gunners in hopes of learning about the terms of any potential deal.

The Belgian international has been targeted as a primary target for the Turkish Super Lig club while he enters the final year under contract at the Emirates Stadium.

Trossard has been heavily linked with an exit due to Arsenal’s interest in signing a left-winger this summer. One of him or Gabriel Martinelli is expected to leave if room is to be made on the flank.

As it stands, it’s the 31-year-old who seems to be attracting suitors, with Besiktas just the latest club to join the race to sign the forward this summer.

If a move goes through, then Trossard will be remembered fondly for what he managed in his time with Arsenal.

Trossard’s Bargain Transfer

Trossard could call time on his Arsenal career this summer after nearly four years at the club, following his January transfer switch from Brighton in 2023.

The Gunners paid just £27 million to secure the Belgian forward after he seemingly fell out with Brighton boss Roberto De Zerbi before his exit from the club.

Since then, the Belgian international has been nothing short of reliable for the club, making 174 appearances, scoring 36 goals and assisting 34 times.

Shortly after his arrival, Ian Wright labelled Trossard as “unbelievable”, and he has proven to be just that in almost every appearance since.

50 of his Arsenal appearances have come over the past campaign, as Arteta regularly used the forward as an important option in the Premier League title triumph, as well as the run to the Champions League final.

The output of Trossard far outweighs the transfer fee paid in, and should he leave over the summer, then he will be firmly remembered as one of the best bargain transfers ever, on top of being a cult hero.