Manchester United face a battle to land one of their key targets in the summer transfer window, as TEAMtalk reports of another team entering the race to seal their signature.
It comes as the Red Devils are looking to bolster the midfield ranks this summer, as Ederson is set to join from Atalanta as one of a few additions expected in the centre of the pitch.
United are already facing a transfer hijack from Real Madrid after Jose Mourinho asked his new club to sign United target Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, and it might not be theonly one.
Then there’s the future of Sandro Tonali to consider, with Man United firmly in the race for the Newcastle star valued at £100 million, but there is fresh competition for his signature.
It’s stated that the Rossoneri are keen on a return, but the Italian international’s camp are frustrated by the club’s delay in putting a new leadership team in place.
AC Milan dismissed Massimiliano Allegri, along with much of the sporting structure behind him, leaving the club in search of a fresh plan after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
While that process to hire a new head coach and sporting director is ongoing, there is belief that a return to the San Siro could be on the cards for Tonali.
The £100 million price tag could prove prohibitive, but the report claims that AC Milan are looking at deal structures that could write off previous transfer fees owed to the club from Newcastle for deals involving Tonali and Malick Thiaw.
It’s unclear how successful that will be, but Tonali’s preference appears to be a return to his former club, if he is to leave the Magpies this summer.
That comes as a potential blow for Man United, who have been tracking a deal for the 26-year-old as a potential key target for the summer window.
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Michael Carrick’s Midfield Focus
While the midfield will be a focus for Manchester United, there should also be a priority in signing players with the right attitude to joining the club.
The Red Devils cannot afford to have players who don’t want to join the club, with Tonali’s preference to joining AC Milan making it clear where his priorities stand.
While United seemingly have the upper hand, with more money to spend than the Rossoneri, as well as a clear structure in place, a move for the midfielder is likely to take time, if he waits to see the outcome of their rebuild.
It would be a deal for a player described as a “superstar”, but one that may not come with the same level of buy-in that Man United could get elsewhere.
Carrick needs to find a replacement for Casemiro in the heart of his Man Utd midfield this summer
With that in mind, attention should turn towards players who can join quickly, and with a desire to play at Old Trafford to be part of the new project.
That buy-in will help Carrick continue to build the foundations that have got the club back into the Champions League, with aims of going even further in the future.
With the 2026 World Cup nearly upon us, perhaps the biggest story so far has been around the treatment of players, staff and fans coming into North America. Mexico, Canada and the United States are co-hosts, but the latter nation has not been particularly welcoming.
A number of stories have broken in the last week, detailing issues for those arriving in the US. Most notably, top African referee Omar Artan was interrogated for 11 hours, held in a cell, and then sent home due to vetting concerns. He will no longer be able to officiate at the tournament.
It seems as though there is no end to these issues, with football legend and Uzbekistan manager Fabio Cannavaro the latest to suffer at the hands of the overzealous US security.
Fabio Cannavaro Questions Treatment of Uzbekistan Stars
Cannavaro won the 2006 World Cup as Italy captain, making him one of the greatest centre-backs of the modern era. He won the Ballon d’Or on the back of that success, becoming just the second defender to win the prize, after German icon Franz Beckenbauer (in 1972 and 1976).
The Italian, now 52, took charge of Uzbekistan in 2025 and will lead the country at their debut World Cup appearance. However, upon arriving in New York for their pre-tournament friendly match against the Netherlands on 8 June, his squad were met with a rather distrustful security team.
Footage quickly went viral as the Uzbekistan stars and their football legend manager were treated like criminals, as they underwent drug-sniffing dog and metal detector checks. Speaking to CGTN Sports Scene, Cannavaro has now called out the incident, noting:
“They said to me it’s the rules, but in the end the check was only for us.”
Senegal Squad Also Treated With Suspicion Ahead of 2026 World Cup
Cannavaro appeared to think that only his team were treated poorly in New York but more footage has since emerged of the Senegal being subjected to a thorough search on airport tarmac upon their arrival in the US.
The African team are based at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and it seems as though security were just as unsure about the Lions of Teranga, with midfielder Pathe Ciss, who plays his club football in Spain with Rayo Vallecano, seen having the soles of his feet scanned by a handheld metal detector.
The wary treatment of these athletes has certainly left a bad taste in the mouth for many football fans, with some questioning the wisdom of handing the United States hosting rights when their president, Donald Trump, seems so unhappy to have the world arrive at his doorstep.
Aston Villa are preparing for a busy summer transfer window after they secured qualification for the Champions League.
It was a phenomenal 2025/2026 season for Unai Emery’s side, who qualified for the Champions League while also winning the Europa League.
Qualifying for Europe’s elite club competition will allow Villa to shop in a different market when it comes to new additions this summer.
Emery’s side won’t want to stand still despite their impressive campaign, and with players being linked with departures, it could be a busy transfer window.
Romano: Aston Villa Eyeing Goalkeeper
According to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano, Zion Suzuki is among a list of three goalkeepers that Aston Villa are interested in ahead of the summer transfer window.
The Midlands club are reportedly eyeing the Parma goalkeeper, due to talks between Emi Martinez and Juventus.
Liverpool are in the market for a new centre-back during the summer transfer window after it was confirmed that Ibrahima Konate would be leaving the club.
Konate departed Anfield and looks set to join La Liga side Real Madrid in the summer, with his contract at Liverpool expiring.
The French defender has been a mainstay in Liverpool’s defence in recent years, partnering Virgil van Dijk under both Arne Slot and Jurgen Klopp.
Konate has struggled for consistency at times, and Liverpool may have been looking to bring in a replacement this summer regardless. Konate’s departure has certainly pushed it higher up their priority list.
The Reds do have Jeremy Jacquet arriving this summer, after he was signed in January. It remains to be seen whether he will come in and be a guaranteed starter.
Bastoni is also left-footed, meaning he can provide balance in the back four alongside Van Dijk.
Having a left-footed defender as part of a defensive pairing is very beneficial, something Liverpool haven’t had the luxury of in recent years.
Bastoni is incredibly comfortable on the ball whilst also being a powerful, tough-tackling defender. There’s an argument to suggest that not only would he be a competent replacement for Konate, he would also be an upgrade.
