Manchester United will have to look at alternative midfield options after missing out on the signature of Mateus Fernandes.

Amid talk of a big-money move from West Ham, the Portuguese ace will be remaining in London for the new season after agreeing a transfer to Tottenham.

Much will be expected of the Red Devils heading into the 2026/27 season after a positive campaign under Michael Carrick, with a midfield overhaul expected to happen as they look to go strong in both the Premier League and Champions League.

Following Fernandes’ snub, a familiar name has cropped up again as United look to add some much-needed options to that area of the pitch.

Baleba return?

Manchester United have Carlos Baleba on their list when it comes to signing a new midfielder, according to GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs.

The Red Devils were keen on signing the Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder 12 months ago but a deal never came to fruition.

United did approach the Seagulls for the 22-year-old last summer, only to be put off by their £100m price tag.

Jacobs said in April that offers under £70m are unlikely to be considered, with the journalist also confirming that the player only wants United.

The Cameroon international, who club chiefs reportedly view as the ‘new Casemiro’, received rave reviews during the 2024/25 season, thus leading to Manchester United’s interest in him, and he still went on to feature regularly for Fabio Hurzeler’s team last term.

Baleba may not have had the same influence in 2025/26 as he did the previous season, but Brighton will still be looking to get as close to their valuation of the player as possible.

Alternative midfield options

United have a number of options as they look to take their midfield to the next level.

The club already have one player set to add to Carrick’s numbers in the middle of the park, with Ederson set to officially complete a move to Old Trafford from Atalanta once his participation at this summer’s World Cup with Brazil is officially over.

According to Jacobs, Manchester United are set to explore a move for Bournemouth star Alex Scott after seeing Fernandes opt for a £85m switch to Tottenham.

The Cherries are keen to tie the former Bristol City midfielder down to a new contract at the Vitality Stadium after a standout season that saw him called up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the very first time.

Arsenal, Manchester City, Tottenham and Chelsea are other clubs to watch when it comes to a move for Scott, who Bournemouth value around £80m.

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni joins Baleba on United’s list, with Sander Berge of Fulham another name discussed.

All eyes will be on Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool this season after the highly-rated Spaniard replaced Arne Slot at the helm.

Following their 2024/25 Premier League title-winning campaign, the Reds endured a nightmare season last term and finished the year in fifth position, 25 points behind newly-crowned champions Arsenal.

Liverpool’s struggles resulted in Slot’s departure, with Iraola taking on the hotseat after an incredible season where he guided Bournemouth to European qualification for the first time after finishing three points behind the Merseyside club in sixth.

Liverpool splashed the cash in the transfer market 12 months ago and the focus will very much be on them once again as Iraola looks to make an immediate mark at Anfield.

Liverpool watching Fulham star

Liverpool are keeping close tabs on Fulham winger Kevin, according to Anfield Watch.

The Reds have already seen some movement in that area of the pitch this summer following Mohamed Salah’s departure from the club.

Federico Chiesa could potentially join the Egyptian in heading for pastures new, with the club signing Spanish ace Victor Munoz from Osasuna in a £34.5m deal and having a keen interest in RB Leipzig star Yan Diomande.

Given the need to add to their wide options, Kevin has emerged as a potential addition for Liverpool as they plan for the years ahead.

The Brazilian joined Fulham in a club-record £34.6m deal last September on a long-term contract until the summer of 2030, with the Cottagers having an option to extend it by a further year.

The left-winger finished his first season in west London with three goals and four assists to his name in 31 appearances, notably scoring in a 3-2 defeat against Manchester United in February.

More will be expected of the 23-year-old this season following his first year in England, with Anfield Watch reporting that Liverpool have been watching the player since his move to Fulham to see how he would adapt to the Premier League.

Exciting Kevin prediction could come true

Action Images via Reuters/Ed Sykes

Dario Srna’s big Kevin prediction could very well come true if Liverpool make a move for the Fulham star,

Speaking to BBC Sport last September following the Brazilian’s move from Shakhtar Donetsk to the Cottagers, Srna, the club’s sporting director, stated that the youngster “will move to one of the biggest clubs within the next two years”.

“Fulham have an amazing winger, he has amazing skills, is so fast, good one-versus-one, he even defends well,” outlined Srna.

“With Marco Silva, for me one of the best coaches in the Premier League, he will continue to develop for sure. I believe Kevin will move to one of the biggest clubs within the next two years.”

Serena Williams’ controversial decision to avoid press duties after her return at Wimbledon earlier this week has caused quite the stir, and a reason for her skipping the press has now been revealed.

The 23-time Grand Slam winner was back in singles action for the first time since calling time on her illustrious career at the 2022 US Open. Still, her much-anticipated homecoming didn’t stick to the script, as she was seen off in round one by Australian youngster Maya Joint.

The 20-year-old handled the occasion well to dispatch her legendary opponent, despite some nervy moments, particularly in set two. Williams was able to rediscover some of the class that made her such a dominant opponent in years gone by and force a deciding third set with a 7-6 response after Joint threatened to run away with the tie after winning the first 6-3.

Those inroads didn’t lead to the turnaround the now 44-year-old had hoped for, who was evidently frustrated at SW19. That disappointment was shared by onlookers, who had expected one of Wimbledon’s serial winners to make light work of an opponent who had been struggling for form in previous months after suffering a lower-back injury that has so far derailed her 2026 campaign.

Serena Williams’ Post-Match Actions Raise Questions

After losing that final set 6-3, Williams made a quick exit, uninterested in sticking around to talk to the press both on court and in mandatory press conferences—a brief statement released after the match confirmed that to be the case.

“Unfortunately, Serena Williams will not be able to undertake media this evening.”

Skipping media duties is expensive business, with the Grand Slam Rulebook stating that a hefty fine can be issued without “reasonable grounds,” i.e., injury or illness.

“If a player is unable to appear, the appropriate level of direct communication is requested. Violation of this Section shall subject a player to a fine up to $50,000.”

Serena Williams Avoids Fine As Reason For Absence Emerges

Andrew Couldridge via Reuters

The five-figure fine will not be handed down to the seven-time Wimbledon winner, however, on the grounds of injury, with an apparent tweak to her knee sustained in the first set, freeing her from her media obligations.

“Serena tweaked her knee at the end of the first set and was therefore excused from her media obligations by the Wimbledon and WTA medical teams,” said Jill Smoller, the tennis icon’s long-standing agent in a statement provided to The Times.

That knee issue has thrown her continued participation at the tournament into doubt, with Serena due to compete in the doubles alongside her sister Venus. The pair have been handed a wildcard and are set to face the unseeded duo of Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra on Friday, provided she can overcome her injury problems.