Liverpool are looking to improve their options in the backline this summer, with Caught Offside tipping them to make a move for a Tottenham star who has been a long-term target.

Andoni Iraola is braced for a change or two in the backline, as Ibrahima Konate’s exit leaves a potential void at centre-back to deal with for the future.

While Jeremy Jacquet’s arrival and Giovanni Leoni’s return from injury come as potential boosts to those ranks, there are wider long-term concerns over the position.

The only two experienced stars at centre-back, Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, are both into the final year of their contracts at Anfield and could leave for free next summer.

As doubts continue to rise over their place at Liverpool, the club continue to be linked with potential long-term signings to help stagger the options in the backline.

Liverpool Want Luka Vuskovic

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According to a report from Caught Offside, Liverpool are in the race to sign Luka Vuskovic this summer, as the Tottenham star continues to be linked with a potential exit.

The 19-year-old defender has asked to leave Spurs this summer, with the arrival of Jan Paul van Hecke and Marcos Senesi seemingly closing off a potential pathway to senior football in N17.

Brighton have been pushing to sign Vuskovic, who is seemingly unhappy with his current situation, with two bids currently rejected to land the defender.

While the Seagulls appear to be pushing hard, Liverpool’s interest relayed in the report suggests that the Merseyside club are keen on landing another long-term addition.

The Reds aren’t alone in that interest, as Manchester United also appear to be monitoring a move for a player who has been tipped to become a superstar in years to come.

It remains to be seen if either club will put up a concrete offer for Vuskovic, with his future likely to be decided after his World Cup campaign with Croatia.

Liverpool’s Centre-Back Concerns

It’s clear that Liverpool face a future centre-back problem, but it’s one that may require another transfer window to address, rather than looking at it this summer.

Signing another centre-back now, when other areas of the squad desperately need addressing, may leave Andoni Iraola short of options who can make an impact elsewhere.

Vuskovic, for example, isn’t going to come cheap. He would also be a relatively inexperienced option alongside the likes of Jacquet and Leoni, meaning the Reds would likely look at the market again next summer for options anyway,

A player entering their peak may be required to give some immediate quality alongside the young stars, but that may only come about if the likes of Van Dijk and Gomez leave.

Manchester United are set to keep hold of club captain Bruno Fernandes this summer, according to TalkSPORT, amid doubts over his future at Old Trafford.

It comes after an impressive individual season for the playmaker, who broke the Premier League assist record with 21 in a single season, overtaking Thierry Henry and Kevin De Bruyne in the process.

It was his displays that helped push Man United towards a Champions League return, as the team finished third in the division and ensured they were back among the elite for next season.

However, after Fernandes faced doubts over his future last summer, similar questions have arisen this year about a potential transfer exit, as clubs loom large in the background for a possible deal.

Now, it seems as though the star player has made his decision.

Bruno Fernandes To Stay At Man United

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According to a report from TalkSPORT, Bruno Fernandes has been telling his Man United teammates that he intends to stay at the club this summer.

The 31-year-old is yet to hold any formal talks with the higher-ups at Old Trafford, but there is no indication that they will push for an exit either.

Fernandes has a contract that runs until 2027, but it also features a one-year extension clause in it that can be triggered before he becomes a free agent next summer.

There is also a £56 million release clause in his deal for non-English clubs, which could draw interest from Saudi Arabia after last year’s pursuit.

The attacking midfielder also previously admitted that he would be open to joining a club in Serie A or La Liga at some point before he retires, but it appears unlikely that will happen this summer.

It comes as a major boost, not least for Michael Carrick, as the report adds that he is keen to keep Fernandes within the squad for next season.

Fernandes Contract Decision

Once the dust settles on this summer’s transfer business, Man United may want to consider a new deal for Fernandes to secure his long-term future at the club.

At 31, he is still proving that he is capable of some top performances and has all the quality to drag the Red Devils through some important moments.

While the club tries to rebuild back towards the top again, repaying the faith in the Portuguese international would show just how key he has been to the team, and could allow them to build around him.

There is, of course, some risk to that. Potentially high wages for a player nearing the latter end of their career will make some uncomfortable with another contract extension.

But it is worth considering keeping an important player at Old Trafford for the foreseeable future.

Real Madrid have not opened the door for the exit of Aurelien Tchouameni just yet amid links with a summer transfer to Manchester United, according to Fabrizio Romano.

The Red Devils are preparing for a big season at Old Trafford under Michael Carrick and much will be expected of them on the transfer front as they bid to improve on a third-place finish in the 2025/26 campaign.

Man United have yet to add to their squad ahead of the new term but Atalanta midfielder Ederson is set to sign on the dotted line after the clubs agreed on a £35million deal for the highly-rated Brazilian.

West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, who is valued at £80million, has been mentioned regarding a Man United transfer, but Tottenham now look set to pip them to his signature after reaching a verbal agreement with the Hammers, according to freegard media.

Carrick is expected to overhaul his midfield and add even further options on top of the incoming arrival of Ederson, with Real Madrid ace Tchouameni linked with a transfer to United.

However, a deal for the 26-year-old, who joined Los Blancos from Monaco in 2022, is not so straightforward at this stage due to a couple of factors, as outlined by Romano in his latest YouTube video.

What Fabrizio Romano has said about Tchouameni deal

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Taking to his YouTube channel on Thursday morning, Italian journalist Romano provided an update on Tchouameni amid talk of a big-money move to Old Trafford from Spanish giants Real Madrid.

Romano outlined the two reasons why a transfer to Carrick’s team has not progressed so far.

“Many of you asking me, there are many rumours on Man United returning for Tchouameni and what’s the truth,” he explained. “The two problems on Tchouameni remain the same and have not changed so far.

“One problem is the salary, Tchouameni is on a very big salary, and at the moment is financially not what Man United want to do. On the technical point of view, Man United would love Tchouameni, Man United consider Tchouameni a fantastic player, so they would love to go for him, but it’s important to say Real Madrid, as of today, I can confirm this. I can stand by my information, are yet to open doors for exit of Aurelien Tchouameni.

“So, as of today, Man United, or the agents of the player, have not received any call from Real Madrid saying, ‘If you want, you can get Tchouameni’. This is not that it’s going to happen at some point in the summer I will let you know, and if it’s going to happen, Man United would be ready to try and understand the situation, because they love Tchouameni, but financially there is a problem on the salary, and then Real Madrid are yet to open doors on this one.”

Man United’s midfield options under Michael Carrick

Man United’s midfield proved to be a big talking point early in the 2025/26 season with Ruben Amorim struggling to find the perfect blend in the position.

However, the return of Carrick to Old Trafford proved to be a key turning point for the football club as his team flourished in the middle of the park under his guidance.

Casemiro, who has departed the football club this summer, excelled in midfield and chipped in with a number of key goals, with Kobbie Mainoo going on to become a mainstay in the middle after previously looking like he would exit at the turn of the year after a lack of minutes under Amorim.

Bruno Fernandes, once again, proved to be a pivotal figure for United and went on to set a new Premier League record of 21 assists in a league season as he was awarded both the FWA Footballer of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season.

Following Casemiro’s departure, United will add to their numbers once Ederson officially joins from Atalanta but there are still further additions to be made, with Tchouameni potentially someone who can elevate their midfield to the very next level as they look to make big strides in the Premier League and Champions League.