Manchester United are looking to get a number of transfers done over this upcoming summer window to bolster their squad, but they face stiff competition for their top targets.

Elliot Anderson is believed to be the number one target but prefers a move to Man City, who have already had a formal bid rejected, while a number of other targets are being looked at, including Newcastle star Sandro Tonali.

But after completing a move to sign Ederson from Atalanta as their first arrival of the window, the club are now wary of another deal that they have made progress on being hijacked by Real Madrid.

Jose Mourinho Eyeing Man Utd Hijack

One star being looked at is West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, with club-to-club talks already opened for the Portuguese star as the club look to further strengthen their midfield.

However, the Hammers have slapped an £85m asking price on his head as they look to cash in on the strong interest in his services, which has seen a move to Old Trafford stall, despite the player giving his priority to the Red Devils.

But United are now showing some concern after it emerged that new Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has targeted the 21-year-old for his new-look Los Blancos side, with the club looking to rebuild after a second consecutive trophyless season, according to AS (via Sport Witness).

Mourinho believes that Fernandes, who has been described as a ‘superstar’, is someone who can continue to develop into a top midfielder, and he wants him at the Bernabeu despite the fact he has not yet peaked as a player.

Real Madrid have already signed Denzel Dumfries and Ibrahima Konate this summer, while they have made contact with Arsenal over a deal for Riccardo Calafiori, and Enzo Fernandez is also being tracked.

Jorge Mendes Now Involved in Fernandes Talks

REUTERS/Sergio Perez

Jorge Mendes is widely known as one of the top football agents in the world, having represented Cristiano Ronaldo and many other major stars over the years.

He is also the agent of Mourinho and Fernandes, and it’s understood that he is now involved in talks over taking the young midfielder to Spain rather than Old Trafford. West Ham’s asking price is expected to drop as the window goes on, with the player having no interest in playing in the Championship, and that will open the door to more clubs in the race for his signature.

Man Utd have always had a good relationship with Mendes, but with Mourinho and Real Madrid now firmly in the race, they must ensure they can get an agreement in place with player and club as quickly as possible or face missing out on another top target.

Julian Alvarez’s €500million release clause is more complicated than it appears, GIVEMESPORT understands.

The Argentinian international, on duty with his nation at the 2026 World Cup, which starts in Mexico on Thursday, is understood to have had a whopping €500million release clause inserted into his contract when he signed from Manchester City in 2024.

There are provisions for certain Champions League clubs, including Barcelona, to sign Alvarez at a number south of €150million.

Alvarez wants to join Barcelona and the LaLiga champions have already seen a €100million bid rejected.

Atletico Madrid stance on Alvarez sale is clear

Atletico Madrid responded by trolling Barcelona on social media and maintain the Argentine striker is not for sale. The club deny any active negotiations and still point to the €500million clause.

26-year-old Alvarez remains contracted until 2030 leaving Atleti in a strong position, but club CEO Miguel Ángel Gil and former sporting director Andrea Berta put in provisions for Alvarez to leave for a lower number than his official release clause when he joined from Manchester City in 2024.

Alvarez has gone on to score 49 goals in 106 appearances, including 20 last season in all competitions.

Atleti have been left angered by Barcelona’s public pursuit of Alvarez and dispute club-to-club talks are ongoing. Yet Alvarez has made it clear to the club he would like to leave, with Barcelona his firm preference.

​​​​​​​Arsenal have a number of other attacking options

In January, now Arsenal sporting director Berta made some informal calls. Alvarez is a dream target for Arsenal this summer. Manager Mikel Artet is intent on adding attacking reinforcements to his Premier League title-winning squad, with Bournemouth’s Junior Kroupi and Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers other options.

Real Madrid have also been linked with a move for Alvarez in recent days by Spanish media and there is growing noise around Barcelona’s transfer vials entering the race.

Yet Alvarez’s agent, Fernando Hidalgo, was recently asked about Real Madrid by Mundo Deportivo and replied: “We have no information on the matter and no one has contacted us about it.”

Alvarez and Argentina do not start their World Cup defence until the early hours of Wednesday morning (UK time) when they take on Algeria in their first group game.

European giants Real Madrid have made contact with Arsenal about signing a top star this summer for Jose Mourinho, according to Sky Sports journalist Gianluca Di Marzio.

The Gunners secured the Premier League title for the first time since 2004, finishing seven points ahead of Manchester City, while they suffered defeat in the Champions League final on penalties against back-to-back champions Paris Saint-Germain, in a hugely successful season.

But after two trophyless campaigns at the Bernabeu, the Spanish side are looking to strengthen their squad, and new manager Mourinho has made one north London star a key target.

Real Madrid Make Call to Arsenal for Calafiori

Sky Sports report that Real Madrid have made a phone call to Arsenal about securing a deal to sign defender Riccardo Calafiori this summer.

Calafiori, who has been described as ‘unpredictable’ by Mikel Arteta, has been a regular for Arsenal this season playing at left-back but has seen injuries have an effect on him in recent campaigns, and he started the Champions League final on the bench behind Piero Hincapie.

Mourinho has identified the defence as an area of the Madrid side that needs strengthening, and feels that Calafiori’s ability to play at left-back and centre-back would be a huge benefit to his side.

The club have made a call to London to discover if a deal is possible, and after initial contact there is a possibility of opening negotiations to take the 24-year-old to the Bernabeu. No fee has been mentioned at this stage, but talks are expected to be led by Alessandro Lucci, who played a major role in taking Calafiori to Arsenal in the first place.

Real Madrid Usually Get Their Man

While Arsenal are in a very strong position when it comes to negotiating or demanding a high fee, it’s well known that when Real Madrid want to sign someone, they usually find a way to get a deal done.

Calafiori is a top talent, but injuries have certainly been a concern during his time at the Emirates. Hincapie and Myles Lewis-Skelly have both shown that they are more than capable of playing in the left-back role too, so if they can get a big fee in for him, then it may be worth considering.

With that said, if they decide that there is no deal worth doing for them, then keeping him means they will still have one of the best around in their squad, so they really are in a no-lose situation at this point.