Manchester United are reportedly on a collision course with Aston Villa as they add another name to their midfield shortlist.

Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos became Michael Carrick’s first two signings as permanent coach when they arrived earlier this summer. A third midfielder has been expected to join them at Old Trafford but the club have yet to make a concrete move for any of their targets.

With the new season just under three weeks away, United continue to explore the market for another midfielder to strengthen Carrick’s squad. While Aurelien Tchouameni appears to be their dream signing, they might opt for a less expensive option.

Man Utd Eyeing Teun Koopmeiners

REUTERS/Ciro De Luca

United have already been linked with a Serie A midfielder as Manu Kone is on INEOS’ radar following an impressive World Cup campaign. The AS Roma star is likely to cost less than Tchouameni and that might persuade the higher-ups to swoop.

They are, however, reportedly also eyeing Juventus’ Teun Koopmeiners, and the Dutchman is available after falling down Luciano Spalletti’s pecking order. Calciomercato reports that the Italians are demanding around £25 million (€30m) to sell the 28-year-old who has three years left on his contract.

The report also states that Juve could be open to a loan deal with an obligation to buy if certain objectives are achieved. A departure is looking increasingly likely and Old Trafford isn’t the only possible destination for the experienced midfielder.

Villa are also interested as Unai Emery looks to continue rebuilding his midfield. He could be viewed as Tielemans’ replacement if he does head to Villa Park.

Koopmeiners, described as a “special” player, has made a name for himself in Serie A, firstly impressing at Atalanta where he won the Europa League in 2024. He headed to Turin in the summer of 2024 but hasn’t managed to replicate the heights of his time at Gewiss Stadium.

Koopmeiners Should Be A Last Resort For United

via Reuters

Koopmeiners, at his best, has been called ‘one of the best midfielders in the world ‘ and has plenty of attributes that Carrick likes in a midfielder, with a playmaking profile that sees him calm and composed in possession while dictating play. He has a high footballing IQ and can come up with the odd goal or two.

That said, last season was a disappointing one for the Netherlands international, heavily criticised for a drop in form and inconsistency. He made 45 appearances across competitions, scoring two goals and providing one assist.

With Spalletti not fancying the Dutchman, it does seem odd for United to swoop for a player coming off the back of a poor campaign. The return of Douglas Luiz has jeopardised his game time at the Allianz Stadium.

Crystal Palace could be set to lose another one of their most important players in a huge blow for new manager Pierre Sage.

Last season’s UEFA Conference League triumph put many of Palace’s star players in the spotlight. Maxence Lacroix impressed and earned himself a £52 million move to Chelsea.

Replacing Lacroix should be a priority but Sage does have an excellent pool of central defenders in his squad. The same can’t be said for out wide, and their single most influential player could be on the move.

Crystal Palace’s Sarr Says Yes to Fenerbahce

The standout performer for Palace last season was Ismaila Sarr, who won the Conference League’s Golden Boot with nine goals in 13 games. He finished with 21 goals in 45 games, becoming the first player since Glenn Murray in 2013 to reach 20 goals in a single campaign.

Sage will have been eager to start his reign with Sarr, but Italian journalist Marco Conterio has suggested the Senegalese winger could be on his way to Turkey. He is said to be “one step away” from a move to Fenerbahce, and he has already said yes to the Turkish Super Lig giants.

Fenerbahce are now “pressing for an agreement with Palace”, and they have accelerated a move for the 28-year-old after failing to sign Rafael Leao. With the player seemingly agreeing on a switch, it’s a nightmare situation for Steve Parish and the South Londoners.

Sarr, dubbed “incredible”, has been at Selhurst Park since August 2024 when he arrived from Marseille in a £12.5 million deal. He has won the FA Cup, the Community Shield and the Conference League in that time.

Palace Must Get Tough With Sarr

Hannah Mckay via Reuters

Unless Palace receive a club-record fee for Sarr, he shouldn’t be going anywhere and the club can’t let him depart without a suitable replacement. Their transfer business in January has come into question amid Brennan Johnson’s disastrous spell thus far.

Johnson has failed to live up to expectations and, as a result, isn’t a worthy backup to Sarr, let alone a permanent option for the right-wing berth. With Sage only just arriving as Oliver Glasner’s successor, the Senegal international is probably the one player he wouldn’t want to be sold.

Palace must insist on an astronomical fee for the former Watford man, who had previously said that he’d only move if the club wanted him to. He has three years left on his contract and has also been linked with Manchester United.

Newcastle United are likely to have a new-look midfield next season under new manager Matthias Jaissle as Bruno Guimaraes closes in on a move to Arsenal.

Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that the Magpies are looking for a new midfielder ahead of Guimaraes’ anticipated departure. He claims that the Brazilian is expected to join the Gunners ‘very soon’.

Guimaraes will be the latest midfielder to head for the exit door after Sandro Tonali joined Tottenham Hotspur for £100 million earlier this summer. There is also growing uncertainty over Joelinton’s future amid talk of a potential move to the Saudi Pro League.

Newcastle Line Up Guimaraes Replacement

REUTERS/Ibraheem Al Omari via Action Images

That’s all three of Newcastle’s starting midfielders that could be sold, and Eddie Howe’s frustrations are understandable. The English coach opted to leave St James’ Park last week, and Jaissle is set to take over.

It appears that the Magpies have lined up a replacement for Guimaraes as Football Insider reports that they are keen on signing Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams. The American had previously been linked with Manchester United following an impressive season at the Vitality.

Adams, 27, was crucial in Andoni Iraola’s midfield, registering two goals and as many assists in 25 league games. He helped the Cherries qualify for the Europa League, and his eye-catching performances haven’t gone unnoticed.

Talk of a move to Old Trafford has quietened, and former Premier League scout Mick Brown told the aforementioned outlet that he’d be “surprised” if the Red Devils moved for him. He instead believes St James’ Park could be a destination for the 27-year-old, who has two years left on his contract.

Newcastle reportedly feel they can convince Adams on a move to Tyneside despite no European football next season. He has proven Premier League experience that could prove beneficial for Jaissle.

Adams Is An Ideal Signing For The Magpies

Moving for Adams, who scored an “unreal” goal against rivals Sunderland, would be a clever decision given the need to address Tonali and Guimaraes’ departures. He has been a huge hit at Bournemouth and could be reasonably priced.

The Magpies may have concerns about his injury record after he sat out last season’s winter period with a knee ligament injury. If he can stay injury-free and replicate the form shown during his time at the Vitality, he’ll surely be a success on Tyneside.

Adams’ importance at Bournemouth was made clear by club legend Steve Fletcher. He said that “every team needs a Tyler Adams” and that the American’s “knowledge is second to none.”

Jaissle will want a new midfielder sorted before the new season kicks off and a potential deal for Adams seems straightforward. It’s vital that the transfer chiefs explore other options in the meantime as they prepare for life without Tonali and Guimaraes.