Manchester United have opened talks to sign a new winger ahead of the summer transfer window, and he wants to leave his club.

The Red Devils have been heavily focusing on bringing in midfield additions, but they could also look to reinforce other areas of the pitch.

The signing of a new midfielder was always going to be a priority heading into the window, with Casemiro confirming that he would be leaving the club.

After United secure the signatures of potentially more than one midfielder, attention could turn to strengthening other positions.

It now appears they’re in the market for a new forward, opening talks to bring one to Old Trafford.

Man Utd Open Forward Transfer Talks

via Reuters

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Manchester United have opened talks to sign Paris Saint-Germain winger Bradley Barcola ahead of the summer transfer window.

The French international has confirmed his desire to leave PSG after he was disappointed not to start the semi-final and final of the Champions League.

United are among a number of clubs who are interested in the French international, holding talks to be kept informed of his situation.

Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atletico Madrid, Inter Milan and Napoli are among the European clubs who have also held talks, so it’s set to be a competitive race for his signature in the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils also face competition from the Premier League, so it won’t be easy to bring him to the club.

Barcola Would be Game-Changing Signing

via Reuters

Como scout Ben Mattinson has branded Barcola ‘one of the best wingers in the world’, and it’s no surprise after the performances we’ve seen for both Paris Saint-Germain and France.

If United can bring him to Old Trafford this summer, it will be a game-changing signing with the young forward capable of performing at a high level in various positions.

Barcola could likely come in and be a guaranteed starter for the Red Devils. The door is open for them to make a move, with him keen on leaving PSG.

Unfortunately, it could be a difficult race to win due to the amount of interest, but after qualifying for the Champions League, they are in a strong position.

World Cup fever has officially hit the United States of America, Canada and Mexico this week as all three host nations got off to a good start in the 48-team tournament.

Mexico recorded a 2-0 win over South Africa, while Canada battled to a 1-1 draw after falling behind against Bosnia. But the biggest winners of the host nations were the USA. Mauricio Pochettino’s side caught everyone off-guard with a stunning performance and 41- victory against Paraguay.

The players finally took centre stage after months of talk about President Donald Trump. The 80-year-old has been heavily involved, and criticised, in the build-up to the biggest competition in world football. Even a current member of the USMNT was left unimpressed by the American leader.

Donald Trump Meeting Labelled ‘Weird’ By USMNT Star

One man who played a part in that dominant World Cup win against Paraguay wasn’t too impressed when he met the President in 2025. Timothy Weah, who came on in the 72nd minute, was part of a Juventus visit to the White House in June last year.

The Italian giants were preparing to take part in the newly formatted Club World Cup, which was hosted in his Weah’s home country. Juventus’ players made a rather awkward-looking visit to the Oval Office before their first game.

With the players standing behind Trump’s desk, Weston McKennie, also of the USMNT, looked baffled when the President asked: “Could a woman make your team, fellas?”

Weah later revealed he was given no choice but to attend the meeting. The wing-back said (per the Metro): “It was all a surprise to me, honestly — they told us that we have to go and I had no choice but to go so I showed up.”

The 26-year-old, son of Ballon d’Or winner George, explained he felt uncomfortable as Trump started speaking about Iran and other political issues while he and his teammates stood in the background. Detailing the ‘weird’ experience, he added:

Watch the awkward meeting below.

Weston McKennie Also Had Harsh Words For Trump

Matthew Childs via Reuters

McKennie, who was also present alongside his Juventus teammates, was highly critical of President Trump during his first term. More specifically, during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020.

“I don’t think that Trump is the right one for the job as the president,” the USMNT midfielder said after protests. Trump controversially labelled the movement ‘toxic propaganda’.

McKennie even stated that he could see why some call the American leader ‘racist’. He continued: “I stand by these words. I believe he doesn’t understand the responsibility he has for the entire country. I think he’s ignorant. I don’t support him a bit. I don’t think he’s a man to stand by his word. In my eyes, you can call him racist.”

How much money Omar Artan will receive for the 2026 World Cup, despite being banned from entering the USA, Canada and Mexico, has been worked out, with the Somali referee still set for a windfall. Stories involving denied visa entry have become a hot topic at this summer’s tournament, but none have attracted as much attention as that of the 34-year-old.

Upon arriving in the USA ahead of the World Cup, Artan was stopped by border control for several hours. Initial reports suggested the issue stemmed from problems with his ESTA application and visa paperwork, but the US government later revealed the real reason he was denied entry was due to alleged ties to a terrorist organisation.

He was subsequently sent back to his home country and, although there were attempts to allow him to officiate matches in the other two host nations, he was removed from the refereeing list for the entire tournament. Fortunately for Artan, a new FIFA ruling means he is still set to receive a significant financial payout despite missing the competition.

FIFA Make Major Decision on Omar Artan’s World Cup Payout

FIFA President Gianni Infantino via REUTERS/Henry Romero

According to BBC Sport, even though Artan will take no part in the World Cup, FIFA has committed to paying his salary. The 2025 Confederation of African Football (CAF) men’s referee of the year has since been invited to officiate the UEFA Super Cup between Paris St-Germain and Aston Villa in Salzburg, Austria on 12 August.

The 34-year-old, who thanked “my people and my country” after being welcomed in his homeland, has vowed to officiate at the 2030 World Cup. Artan had a year to remember in 2025, becoming the first Somali to take charge of a continental final. In June 2025, he officiated the second leg of Pyramids FC’s African Champions League final victory over Mamelodi Sundowns.

FIFA appointed Artan to the U-20 World Cup in Chile, where he took charge of three matches including the third-place play-off. Then, at the end of the year, he refereed two group games at the Africa Cup of Nations, having also officiated at the tournament in 2024.

How Much He Will Earn Has Been Calculated

According to The Times, World Cup referees will each earn a record-breaking $100,000 (around £75,000) for their involvement in the tournament, a figure that represents roughly double what officials were paid at the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

It’s an uplift that reflects both the expanded 48-team format, the increased scrutiny that comes with it, and FIFA’s determination to attract the very best officials football has to offer. Those record-breaking fees are before performance-related bonuses can be achieved later in the tournament, which Artan will be unable to receive.

Given that he will have been assigned only group matches before FIFA make a decision on knockout assignees, it means the Somali whistle-holder is still set for a five-figure windfall to soften the blow of all his troubles somewhat.