Manchester United are in the middle of a major midfield rebuild, as they eye a second deal after completing a full agreement to sign Ederson from Atalanta.

The Brazilian reportedly underwent a medical in New York on Sunday ahead of completing a move to Man United, after the Red Devils agreed a deal with the Serie A outfit worth just under £40m for his signature.

Ederson only had one year remaining on his contract with the Bergamo-based outfit, with United chiefs moving quickly to bring him to Old Trafford after the player decided he only wanted to join them.

It is understood to be a similar situation for West Ham United star Mateus Fernandes, with United entering ‘official’ talks to sign the Portuguese star with his agent Jorge Mendes, as they prepare to make a first offer to the recently-relegated Hammers for the player.

According to Fabrizio Romano, West Ham value the 21-year-old at £85m even though they are now a Championship club, although United will surely hope to land him for a smaller fee as they ramp up their interest.

Real Madrid and Arsenal have shown interest in the young Portugal international, but it is thought that a switch to United is his most likely move with the player keen to link up with Bruno Fernandes at the ‘Theatre of Dreams’.

Baleba Speaking to Man United Players About Move

via Reuters

Even if United do complete a deal for Mateus Fernandes after Ederson, it has been suggested by some outlets that another central midfielder could still be targeted, should Manuel Ugarte join Casemiro through the Old Trafford exit door.

Journalist Chris Winterburn has claimed that the Red Devils will target either Brighton and Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba or Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali after any potential deal for Fernandes, as they look to complete a major midfield rebuild.

The Sun recently reported that Baleba has been in talks with United players over a switch to Old Trafford, having also come close to a move to the Red Devils last summer.

GIVEMESPORT understands that an agreement on personal terms is already in place for the Cameroon international, dating back to last summer.

Baleba Viewed as the ‘New Casemiro’

via Reuters

One report suggested previously that United chiefs see Baleba as being the ‘new Casemiro’, and with his physical profile, athleticism and ball-winning abilities, it isn’t hard to see why.

Baleba certainly enjoyed a better 2024-25 season than the campaign that has just gone, with his performances far less consistent.

However, United clearly see the potential in the 22-year-old, who it must be remembered is still a young player even though he has shown performances beyond his years previously.

Baleba was valued at £100m by Brighton last summer, but United will be hoping that they could land him for a smaller fee in the upcoming transfer window given his drop in performance.

If the Red Devils could negotiate lower fees for both Fernandes and Baleba in the coming weeks, it would be a no-brainer and leave them with a strong midfield ahead of their return to the Champions League.

Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing a move to sign a midfielder wanted by some of the top clubs in Europe, according to Foot Mercato.

Tottenham have already completed two summer signings in Andy Robertson and Marcos Senesi, and they are currently working on two more in Jan Paul van Hecke and Savinho.

The addition of Van Hecke would complete a new-look defence for De Zerbi after it struggled again during the 2025-26 season, with the north Londoners narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship.

The Italian manager’s centre-back options would be Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, Kevin Danso, Radu Dragusin, Luka Vuskovic, Senesi and Van Hecke if the Dutchman does join, surely meaning at least one of the aforementioned names would be on their way.

Romero appears to be the most likely after rumours in recent months, although Brighton and Hove Albion have lodged a bid for Vuskovic, who is keen on the move, leaving Spurs chiefs with a big decision to make.

Tottenham want reinforcements for their attack too, with Randal Kolo Muani returning to Paris Saint-Germain following an unsuccessful loan spell, while they are looking to strengthen in midfield too.

Tottenham Eyeing Move to Sign Ayyoub Bouaddi

via Reuters

According to Foot Mercato, Liverpool are showing serious interest in Lille midfielder Ayyoun Bouaddi, and have added them to their summer shortlist.

In fact, Reds chiefs specifically travelled to New York to watch the 18-year-old in action for Morocco against Brazil in their opening World Cup group game on Saturday night.

However, there is more interest in the talented teenager from other clubs across Europe, including Tottenham, according to the French outlet.

Just like in defence, Spurs have decent strength in depth in the central midfield position, but they have lost Yves Bissouma this summer following the expiry of his contract.

Tottenham are also working on a deal to sign Joao Palhinha on a permanent deal from Bayern Munich, with the player giving priority to a full-time move to Spurs because of his good relationship with De Zerbi, according to Fabrizio Romano, despite interest in his homeland from Sporting Lisbon.

Bouaddi Would be a Sensational Tottenham Signing

Tottenham already have some brilliant young talent in the central midfield position in Archie Gray and Lucas Bergvall, but adding a talent like Bouaddi would be a real statement signing.

The 18-year-old dominated Brazil and Casemiro in particular during the 1-1 draw on Saturday, impressing after showcasing his many different traits.

The teenager was described as being a ‘superstar in the making’ by Joe Thomlinson, who credited the midfielder with his physicality, composure, reading of the game and his athleticism.

Meanwhile, Eduardo Hagn has tipped Bouaddi to potentially become the ‘best number 6 in the world’ in the future, having watched him in action.

Impressively, Hagn says that the Lille star plays in a similar way to Arsenal midfielder Declan Rice, knowing when to go forward and when to stay in position, and when to engage in a press.

Bouaddi would be a sensational signing for Tottenham, but they will be one of just a number of clubs looking at the future superstar.

It’s been an emotional few months for legendary football manager Dick Advocaat, who couldn’t hide his emotions ahead of Curacao’s World Cup debut against Germany on Sunday.

The 78-year-old has managed the Netherlands, Rangers, Sunderland and Belgium among many other clubs and national sides over a managerial career that started all the way back in 1980. He created history by guiding Curacao to the biggest international competition in the world.

The Dutch Caribbean island, which is owned by the Netherlands, is the smallest nation to ever play at the World Cup finals. With a population of fewer than 200,000 people, it’s a truly remarkable story.

Dick Advocaat’s Curacao Tears Explained

Phil Noble via Reuters

The minuscule nation were given an extremely difficult task on the opening day of their 2026 World Cup campaign, facing four-time winners Germany. Julian Nagelsmann’s side took an early lead before being shocked by yet another historic moment.

In the 21st minute, Livano Comenencia smashed the ball past Manuel Neuer in the Germany goal to become his country’s first-ever World Cup scorer. The scenes inside Houston Stadium were incredible.

They may have gone on to be easily beaten by die Mannschaft, but it was still a surreal moment for those wearing blue on the pitch and in the stands. One man who certainly felt the emotions of the occasion was the manager.

It’s not hard to understand why. After all, he stepped down as the national team manager after successfully guiding Curacao to the World Cup in order to look after his ill daughter.

He walked away from being on the touchline, but thanks to an improvement in his daughter’s condition, he stepped back in to take charge. In doing so, he has now become the oldest manager in World Cup history. It’s safe to say it’s been a roller coaster of emotions for the iconic Dutchman in recent months.

Advocaat Went Into Historic World Cup With Optimism

Annegret Hilse via Reuters

Ahead of his side’s heavy defeat against Germany, Advocaat spoke about how Curacao had to make it difficult for the opposition to play against them. “We are a small country compared to Germany, ​but we will make life difficult for them and be ⁠a tough team to play,” he said (per The Sun).

His pride was evident as he pointed out they’ve achieved something special just by qualifying. He added: “We have nothing to lose. The expectation is not that high ‌outside ⁠of us as a squad, because we think we can surprise people. Just being here is great for the players and the country, but we also have to show people what we are made of.”