Manchester United are set to make an opening offer to sign an ‘elite’ star, according to Sky Sports.

It’s been an exciting start to the summer transfer window for United fans, with a host of top-level players being linked with a move to Old Trafford.

It’s no surprise that United are looking to strengthen all across the pitch as they look to back new manager Michael Carrick after giving him a permanent deal.

The former Middlesbrough boss guided United to a Champions League finish, getting them back into Europe, where they’ll feel they belong.

With Champions League football comes the need to invest in the squad, not only to deal with the stronger opponents but also the extra fixtures.

Man Utd Preparing Opening Bid

via Reuters

According to a report from Sky Sports News, Manchester United are preparing to make an opening offer for West Ham United midfielder Mateus Fernandes.

Reporting live on air, Sky Sports confirmed the ‘significant’ news with Fernandes identified as their priority target.

Fernandes, described as ‘elite’, could cost in the region of £85 million, while United are in contact with both West Ham and the agent of the Portuguese midfielder.

West Ham are always going to find it difficult to keep hold of Fernandes heading into the summer transfer window after their relegation from the Premier League was confirmed.

Man Utd Aren’t Messing Around This Window

Manchester United are certainly not messing around in the summer transfer window, with Brazilian midfielder Ederson closing in on a move to Old Trafford.

The Red Devils are clearly looking to add more bodies in the middle of the park, especially after it was confirmed that Casemiro would be leaving the club.

Attention could turn to bringing in new additions in other positions if they also confirm the signing of Fernandes from West Ham.

The Manchester club could look to bring in new forwards and defenders, but it’s clear that they prioritised strengthening their midfield options heading into the window.

Across his glittering career as both a player and a manager, Pep Guardiola has worked alongside some of the greatest players to ever step foot on the pitch.

Guardiola shared a pitch with the likes of Ronaldo Nazario and Luis Figo, before coaching names such as Lionel Messi, Xavi, Erling Haaland and Kevin De Bruyne.

As a result, when Pep singles a player out for praise, it’s a strong endorsement. This is especially true when it involves a member of the opposition.

Guardiola “Realised How Good” Talented Player Was

After his Manchester City side beat Southampton 2-1 in November 2017, Guardiola was such a big admirer of one Saints player that he made sure to compliment him after the final whistle.

Pep remembered Southampton winger Nathan Redmond from when the two sides met the year prior. The Birmingham-born speedster had previously tormented City, scoring in the 1-1 draw between the teams at the Etihad in October 2016.

A little over 12 months later, Pep cut an animated figure as he had a passionate discussion with Redmond on the touchline. Their interaction was so eye-catching that Guardiola was asked to explain what he had said to the player.

“I told Redmond how good a player he is. Last season he destroyed us here. I didn’t know him last season, I realised how good he is.”

Player Who ‘Destroyed’ Man City Never Lived Up to Guardiola’s Lofty Praise

Redmond was a regular for England in age-group football and was honoured as England’s Under-21 Player of the Year in 2016. However, he never made the permanent leap to the senior side.

He made his England debut just months after he first impressed Guardiola. He came on for Adam Lallana as a 66th minute substitute. He was named in the squad to face Lithuaina four days later, but never made it on to the pitch for his country again.

With the Three Lions blessed with attacking options out wide at the time, Redmond was in direct competition with the likes of a prime Raheem Sterling, Marcus Rashford, Lallana and others.

Although Pep was a fan, then-England boss Gareth Southgate wasn’t quite as taken with the Southampton man. Redmond’s prospects weren’t helped by the fact that the Southampton side he was a part of got progressively worse as time went on.

He would remain on the south coast until September 2022, when he moved to Besiktas in Turkey. He would return to England within 12 months, joining Burnley on a two-year deal.

His international dreams were already dashed by the time he left Turf Moor in May 2025 when his contract expired. Redmond would then join beleaguered Sheffield Wednesday for a three-game stint.

Now 32, he most recently played for Blackburn Rovers, making two appearances at Ewood Park. He will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of next month.

Tottenham should already be mobilising to snatch one of Chelsea’s reported transfer targets this summer. Roberto De Zerbi has a to-do list as big as his arm this summer as he bids to turn a relegation-battling team into one that is capable of fighting for Europe next season.

To their credit, Spurs have made a quick start, snapping up Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, while Savinho looks to be a likely signing from Manchester City. But it’s going to take more than three new signings, with this squad needing to be overhauled, while another centre-back is likely needed to fill a gap that will almost certainly be left by Cristian Romero.

Spurs have a big striker need

With Randal Kolo Muani heading back to PSG after an unimpressive loan spell, Spurs have a clear need for at least one new striker, while uncertainty over Richarlison’s future could take the number up to two.

Dominic Solanke was a big investment by the club, but he has not been able to stay fit consistently, and his performance level has varied.

With pacey wingers, of which Savinho is another, this team is set up to have a holding striker, and it’s likely De Zerbi will stick to that theme, but he also knows he needs something more than what he currently has.

Vlahovic is an obvious candidate

Given the amount of money Spurs are going to have to spend on their squad, it would be wise to consider where they can save a buck or two, and soon-to-be former Juventus striker Dusan Vlahovic is available for free, at least in terms of a transfer fee. Wages will be a very different matter, given he is currently earning £400,000-a-week.

The Serbian is not a goalscorer, but he certainly can pitch in with goals. What he is is a dominant centre-forward who will win headers, bring the ball down, receive the ball anywhere and bring the midfield and wingers into play. Beyond that, he also has a decent burst of pace for a taller striker, standing at 6ft 3ins.

Speaking when he was still at Fiorentina, Micah Richards said: “I have watched him a couple of times now, he is lightning, it’s ridiculous. His left foot is like a wand. I am telling you now, he is everything, he is everything you need.”

But none of that is the main reason Spurs should be interested.

Vlahovic is a mentality monster

De Zerbi will want to overhaul this dressing room with players with a steel-like mentality, and Vlahovic is that guy.

Obsessed with the next best thing, Juventus quickly fell out of love with Vlahovic when they found out he wasn’t a week-in, week-out scorer, something they should have known before spending €80million to sign him.

Despite relentless talk in the Italian media, transfer rumours aplenty and Juventus actively touting him to other clubs last summer, Vlahovic kept his head down and remained a starter. Rather than quitting the club, he saw out the full five years of his contract before collecting his final pay-cheque and walking out through the Allianz Stadium doors.

That drew praise from former Spurs boss Igor Tudor, who labelled him an ‘example’ for the level of his performance in the wake of all the transfer noise.

We hear all the time of players who crack under such pressure, and we have seen plenty of those players at Tottenham and in the Premier League as a whole. How quickly players can become ‘flops’ once the media and fans get on top of them for not delivering on a big fee.

Vlahovic shouldered that criticism and got on with his job for three years or more, never losing his place in the meantime. That’s the kind of player De Zerbi needs to build this Tottenham dressing room around, and it’s why Spurs should be moving quickly to make sure he doesn’t end up with London rivals Chelsea.