Manchester United are said to have made an enquiry over one of the best holding midfielders in the Premier League as they sound out potential alternatives for Mateus Fernandes. The Red Devils are going to sign a deep-lying midfielder this summer as they look to replace the outgoing Casemiro.
United enjoyed a solid season of last, with Michael Carrick leading them to a third-place finish, earning a full-time deal in the process. Carrick will now be backed in the market, and the midfield is a big priority despite the early signing of Ederson from Atalanta.
West Ham star Mateus Fernandes appears to be option number one, but amid competition from Tottenham and a rising price, it seems the Red Devils may be lining up a pricy alternative.
Bruno Guimaraes enquiry emerges
According to TeamTalk, United are one of a number of clubs to have asked about the availability of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian only has two years remaining on his Newcastle deal, and there is no breakthrough in contract talks as things stand, potentially opening the door to a move.
It’s also claimed Guimaraes has doubts over his Newcastle future after the Magpies finished in the bottom half last season, and he naturally wants to compete at the very highest level. That, according to the report, has led his representatives to hold some early conversations with other clubs, something United are said to have explored.
But with Guimaraes clearly only of the best players in the league in his position, he is likely to cost big money this summer, and likely more than the £80million or so it will cost to grab Fernandes from West Ham. It’s also likely to be a much trickier deal to pull off, given Newcastle could lose Tonali this summer. If they do, it’s likely they will do all they can to avoid losing another of their starting midfielders.
Guimaraes described as a ‘complete’ player
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According to stat gurus Squawka, Guimaraes is ‘the Premier League’s most complete midfielder’, and there is heavy competition with the likes of Declan Rice, Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Rodri. While some of those other names dominate specific stats, Guimaraes competes the best when it comes to a combination of them all, given he plays a more hybrid role which also allows him to get forward.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has said of the Brazilian: “He is a special player, a special person and a special character.”
There have been claims that Guimaraes has a release clause in his current contract, although some suggest a previous release clause has already expired.
Rangers have set their sights on Hull City goalkeeper Ivor Pandur and are preparing a swap deal for the Croatian, according to Alan Nixon.
Pandur has emerged as a target as the Gers look to add a senior shot-stopper to new manager Derek McInnes’ squad. They are said to have also explored a move for Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson, but are now focused on Hull’s number one.
The 26-year-old enjoyed a fine season with the Tigers, helping them earn promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs. He has been at MKM Stadium since January 2024 and has just one year left on his contract.
Rangers Ready Swap Deal For Pandur
Nixon claims on Patreon that Rangers don’t want to pay Hull’s £10million asking price for Pandur. Instead, they are willing to send Jack Butland in the opposite direction.
The 33-year-old was Danny Rohl’s number one throughout last season, appearing 55 times across competitions. A player plus cash deal could appeal to the newly-promoted Premier League side.
Pandur is currently on international duty with Croatia at the World Cup but could be on the move during the tournament. McInnes will expect to be backed in the summer transfer window, and the Croat could be the first of many new faces to arrive at Ibrox.
Crystal Palace are reportedly eyeing Toulouse defender Charlie Cresswell as a potential Maxence Lacroix replacement, according to Alan Nixon.
Lacroix looks likely to be headed for the exit door at Selhurst Park as Chelsea look to sign the French centre-back. Fabrizio Romano reports that the west London outfit have started talks to bring the 26-year-old to Stamford Bridge.
Palace sold Marc Guehi to Manchester City in January for £20m, and losing Lacroix will be a massive blow. He’s been a rock in central defence ever since arriving from VfL Wolfsburg in August 2024 for £18m.
Newly-appointed Eagles boss Pierre Sage will have been keen on working with the player who earned a call-up to France’s squad for the World Cup. Steve Parish’s transfer chiefs appear to be putting plans in place to try to deal with his exit and could turn to Cresswell.
New Crystal Palace boss is a big fan of Cresswell
Nixon reports on his Patreon that Palace are “looking into a deal for Cresswell” and Sage is a “big fan.” He’ll have come up against the former Leeds United man during his time coaching Lens and Lyon in Ligue 1.
Cresswell joined Toulouse from Leeds back in July 2024 for £3.8m, and he’s been a mainstay in the French team ever since. Last season, he made 32 appearances across competitions, even posting four goals and three assists.
Palace could sign the former England U21 international “if the price is right,” and he’s viewed as an ideal replacement for Lacroix. His powerful profile and “warrior” playing style could be a good fit.
Palace may not reinvest Lacroix money at all
There is a possibility that the South London outfit sticks with their current options. Chadi Riad has been excellent since returning from injury and has been a standout performer for Morocco at the World Cup.
Jaydee Canvot stepped up following Guehi’s departure and earned a regular starting berth in Oliver Glasner’s side. He partnered Lacroix and the always consistent Chris Richards in defence.
Cresswell could be a solid addition to Sage’s squad, but shouldn’t be viewed as a priority. A previous report from The Athletic claims that Toulouse values the player at around £26m after rebuffing an offer from Wolfsburg in January.
Palace could be aided by their relationship with the Ligue 1 club, from whom they signed Canvot last summer. They paid £23m for the young French centre-back and might be able to draw on prior business between the two clubs.
Tottenham have received a big boost in their reported bid to land a statement Premier League deal this summer. Spurs have been one of the busiest teams in the summer transfer window so far, snapping up four new signings already, including Martin Dubravka, who is their latest signing.
Roberto De Zerbi wants a whole new look to his Tottenham squad, and few can blame him, given how poorly Spurs have performed in the last two Premier League campaigns. There is a real ‘enough is enough’ feel to this particular Tottenham recruitment drive, and money will continue to be spent over the coming weeks and months.
Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali has emerged as one of Tottenham’s top targets in this window. In fact, Spurs have already seen a £75million offer for the Italian rejected, with Newcastle holding out for something between £80million and £90million.
There were reports doing the rounds that Tonali would prefer a move elsewhere as he looks to play Champions League football, but according to a fresh report from Sky Sports News. that is not the case.
According to the report, Tonali is, in fact, ready to join Tottenham, as long as they can reach a deal with a current club. It’s reported the midfielder is keen to play for De Zerbi, and he is said to have been offered £275,000-per-week to make the move to Hotspur Way.
Why do Tottenham want Tonali?
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Tottenham are willing to spend big money to land Tonali, and that’s because they know they would be getting a proven Premier League player who is capable of playing in just about any midfield. De Zerbi wants this Spurs side to be dominant and attacking, and that’s what Tonali brings.
The Italian is an aggressive player whose game revolves around winning the ball back as quick as possible and driving up the pitch. Described as ‘fast’ and a ‘complete midfielder’ who is able to play as a six, eight and a 10 by The Athletic, Tonali – pardon the pun – is a tone-setting midfielder who demands those around him to play with an attacking mindset.
He is not the player for a more patient and structured team, but that is not how De Zerbi wants this Spurs team to play. He wants front-footed football, and Tonali can help make that happen.
