Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign one of the best wingers in European football, but they have their eye on another player instead.
Man United‘s main summer transfer focus has, unsurprisingly, been on strengthening the central midfield area after Casemiro’s exit was compounded by Manuel Ugarte suffering a serious knee injury for Uruguay at the 2026 World Cup.
The Red Devils had looked set to bring in Ederson from Serie A outfit Atalanta, but a move broke down amid concerns over the Brazil international’s medical.
Still, United have completed the impressive double signing of two players with Premier League experience in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans for a combined fee of £85m, the same price that Tottenham Hotspur paid for another former Red Devils target in Mateus Fernandes.
Club chiefs still want to land another midfielder for the engine room, with a number six on the agenda, with a feeling they are still yet to properly replace Casemiro’s profile.
Manu Kone, Aurelien Tchouameni and Carlos Baleba are some of the names mentioned the most in recent weeks, but United could also look at other areas of the pitch too, including left-back and left-wing, especially if Marcus Rashford leaves.
Man United Offered Rafael Leao Transfer
via Reuters
According to Tuttomercatoweb, Manchester United have been offered the chance to sign AC Milan winger Leao ‘in recent hours’.
The Portugal international confirmed publicly this summer that he would like to leave the San Siro for a new challenge after seven years at the club, but with just over a month until the transfer window closes, no European team has made their move.
AC Milan are willing to sell but want to recoup £51m for him.
Leao was described as ‘one of the best LWs in the world’ by Como scout Ben Mattinson last year, and on his day he can be unplayable for opposition defenders.
Man United Want Francisco Conceicao Instead
via Reuters
According to the same report, while Jorge Mendes is pushing Leao to them and other clubs, the Red Devils prefer Juventus star Francisco Conceicao instead.
The 23-year-old attacker has impressed for Juve, scoring 11 goals and registering a further 11 assists in 82 appearances for the Old Lady.
The Turin-based outfit now value the Portugal international at €50m, which makes him cheaper than Leao, and he is younger too.
United’s hopes of landing Conceicao may have been boosted too, with TMW claiming that Juve may now need to make an ‘important’ sale this summer following the additions of Randal Kolo Muani and Karim Alajbegovic on Thursday.
One of the main differences between Leao and Conceicao is that the former plays from the left and the latter plays from the right, which again might hint at the fact that Marcus Rashford could be staying at Old Trafford for this season.
Indeed, the Red Devils or the player are yet to receive any offers from clubs that would be attractive, with Carrick said to be looking forward to working with him after his successful loan spell at Barcelona.
Chelsea have been punished following an investigation into 74 alleged breaches of the English Football Association’s regulations.
The Stamford Bridge outfit were initially charged in September after being accused of breaking rules regarding agent regulations, regulations on working with intermediaries, and third-party investment in players.
Those breaches are reported to have taken place between 2009 and 2022, while Roman Abramovich was still in control of the west London club.
FA Announce Chelsea’s Punishment
REUTERS/Hollie Adams via Action Images
According to The Athletic, Chelsea have been handed a £10 million fine and a two-window transfer ban, which has been suspended until 30 June 2027.
They were also given a six-point deduction, but that has since been withdrawn after appeal. A statement from the English FA confirmed:
“Chelsea FC admitted to the 74 breaches of FA Rule E1.2 prior to a hearing and an independent Regulatory Commission imposed a six-point deduction, which was to be suspended until 30 June 2027, and a £10 million fine.
“The club appealed against the suspended points deduction and an independent Appeal Board allowed the appeal and set aside this sanction following a further hearing. In its place, the Appeal Board imposed a registration ban for two complete and consecutive transfer windows which is suspended until 30 June 2027.”
Celtic and Rangers are reportedly embroiled in a transfer battle to sign Fares Ghedjemis and could both make bids for the Algerian winger.
The Scottish Premiership giants often wage war on the pitch, but they are both chasing the attacking gem from Serie B outfit Frosinone. A report from Sky Sports’ Anthony Joseph claims the two clubs are considering a move for the 23-year-old.
Celtic and Rangers are both looking to strengthen their squads ahead of a new Scottish Premiership campaign. They have been busy making additions to their squads but could now be rivalling one another for a new winger.
Celtic and Rangers Weigh Up Ghedjemis Bid
via Reuters
Joseph claims that the Scottish sides aren’t the only clubs interested in the Algeria international. There is also interest shown from England, Italy and the USA and that could prove problematic for the Bhoys and the Gers.
Ollie Watkins Calls Arne Slot’s Liverpool ‘Disjointed’ After Aston Villa Win
According to a top Tottenham insider on X, one of the forwards on Tottenham’s list this summer is Aston Villa sensation Ollie Watkins.
Watkins, who has been described as ‘elite’, has enjoyed a brilliant six years at Villa Park, netting 108 goals in 278 appearances for the club, making him the all-time top scorer for Villa in Premier League history.
Unai Emery is a huge fan of the England international, but the Midlands club are dealing with financial problems and after already losing Lucas Digne, Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers this summer, they are also open to moving on Watkins for the right price due to his contract situation.
Tottenham are understood to be looking for a new striker in the market, with Richarlison’s future up in the air as he enters the final 12 months of his contract.
It’s unclear how much a deal would cost, or how much the north London club would be willing to pay, but he is a name on their shortlist as they look to bolster their squad for the coming season.
Fees correct prior to summer 2026
All 10 found — excellent!
Watkins a Short-Term Solution
Ollie Watkins scored against Liverpool
Tottenham are looking to build a team that is ready to compete quickly, and bringing in 30-year-old Watkins would undoubtedly help them to achieve that.
But considering the top target was Eli Junior Kroupi, it would be a big change in profile, which may raise some question marks. But with Kroupi’s foot injury ruling him out of contention for a move until 2027 at least, it’s possible that Spurs are looking at Watkins as a short-term option, before trying to bring in Kroupi in the future.
Ultimately, Watkins would be an improvement on the current striker options and would help them solve their issues, so it’s one to keep an eye on.
