Sports Mole rounds up every player linked with joining Manchester United this summer, and rates the chances of each possible incoming actually happening.
Manchester United are expected to be busy during this summer’s transfer window, with the club planning to boost their squad with a number of signings.
Red Devils head coach Erik ten Hag has confirmed that he wants to sign a centre-back, central midfielder and centre-forward, while a new left-back could also move to Old Trafford.
Under the guidance of new minority shareholder Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the club are likely to target young players this summer, and their budget will have been boosted by their FA Cup final success, which allowed them to secure a spot in the group stage of the 2024-25 Europa League.
Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest transfer rumours when it comes to incomings at Old Trafford during the summer transfer window.
Who could Man United sign this summer?
Jarrad Branthwaite
© Reuters
Current club: Everton
Age: 21
Position: Centre-back
Rumoured asking price: £80m
Transfer value: £36m
Career appearances: 115
Career goals: 9
Honours
Branthwaite is believed to be Man United’s leading centre-back target this summer, with the 21-year-old impressing for the Toffees during the 2023-24 campaign.
The Englishman is thought to be valued by Everton in the region of £80m, so there will have to be a drop in price if the club are to sign him.
There is undoubted interest, though, and it would not be a surprise to see the defender make the move to Old Trafford during this summer’s transfer window.
Our verdict: Likely
Joao Neves
© Reuters
Current club: Benfica
Age: 19
Position: Central midfield
Rumoured asking price: £102m
Transfer value: £38.3m
Career appearances: 75
Career goals: 4
Honours
Neves is viewed as one of the best young talents in European football, and the 19-year-old is being heavily linked with a move to Man United during this summer’s transfer window.
However, a move is complicated by the fact that Benfica are allegedly unprepared to sell him for less than his release clause, which stands at €120m (£102m).
Our verdict: Unlikely
Milos Kerkez
© Reuters
Current club: Bournemouth
Age: 20
Position: Left-back
Rumoured asking price: £40m
Transfer value: £17m
Career appearances: 117
Career goals: 5
Man United are believed to have identified Kerkez as a left-back option this summer, with the club looking to bring in competition for Luke Shaw during the 2024-25 campaign.
Kerkez, 20, impressed for Bournemouth in his first season in the Premier League, but the Cherries are not under any pressure to sell, and a deal is unlikely at this stage.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Trevoh Chalobah
© Reuters
Current club: Chelsea
Age: 24
Position: Centre-back
Rumoured asking price: £25m
Transfer value: £11m
Career appearances: 200
Career goals: 10
Honours
Man United are allegedly considering making a move for Chelsea defender Chalobah during this summer’s transfer window, with the Englishman potentially available for around £25m.
Chalobah only made 17 appearances for the Blues during the 2023-24 season, and his London club are believed to be willing to entertain offers for him this summer.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Matheus Cunha
© Reuters
Current club: Wolverhampton Wanderers
Age: 25
Position: Attacker
Rumoured asking price: £60m
Transfer value: £38.4m
Career appearances: 234
Career goals: 55
Honours
Cunha is believed to have emerged as a £60m transfer target for Man United, with the Red Devils bidding to bring at least one attacker to Old Trafford this summer.
The Brazilian scored 14 goals and registered eight assists in 36 appearances for Wolves during the 2023-24 campaign, and he has another three years left to run on his contract at Molineux.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Michael Olise
© Reuters
Current club: Crystal Palace
Age: 22
Position: Attacker
Rumoured asking price: £60m
Transfer value: £47m
Career appearances: 90
Career goals: 16
Olise’s future is currently the subject of much speculation, with the attacker believed to be a leading target for the Red Devils during this summer’s transfer window.
The 22-year-old certainly fits the profile in terms of the direction that the club are moving in, and he was excellent for Palace towards the end of last season, finishing with 10 goals and six assists in 19 Premier League appearances.
Our verdict: Likely
Benjamin Sesko
© Reuters
Current club: RB Leipzig
Age: 21
Position: Striker
Rumoured asking price: £55m
Transfer value: £42.3m
Career appearances: 165
Career goals: 69
Honours
Sesko is being heavily linked with a switch to the Premier League, with Arsenal and Chelsea also thought to be keen on his signature ahead of next season.
There is believed to be a release clause of £55m in his current deal, but Man United are down the pecking order, and their absence from next season’s Champions League could cost them when it comes to the 21-year-old.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Ousmane Diomande
© Reuters
Current club: Sporting Lisbon
Age: 20
Position: Centre-back
Rumoured asking price: £55m
Transfer value: £35m
Career appearances: 56
Career goals: 4
Honours
Diomande has emerged as a genuine centre-back option for Man United, with a report claiming that the 20-year-old could be available for £35m during the summer market.
The defender is regarded as one of the best young talents in world football, and he made 38 appearances for Sporting during the 2023-24 campaign, scoring three times in the process.
Our verdict: Likely
Ronald Araujo
© Reuters
Current club: Barcelona
Age: 25
Position: Centre-back
Rumoured asking price: £80m
Transfer value: £59.6m
Career appearances: 242
Career goals: 21
Honours
Araujo is regarded as a key player by Barcelona, but the Catalan outfit are believed to be open to selling him for the right price this summer due to their financial problems.
That price is believed to be around £80m, with Man United said to be huge admirers of the Uruguay international, who has made 150 appearances for Barcelona in all competitions.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Frenkie de Jong
© Reuters
Current club: Barcelona
Age: 27
Position: Central midfielder
Rumoured asking price: £70m
Transfer value: £59.6m
Career appearances: 351
Career goals: 30
Honours
In a similar situation to Araujo, De Jong is viewed by Barcelona as a key player, but it is likely that he will be allowed to leave Camp Nou if an offer of around £70m arrives.
The Netherlands international was heavily linked with a switch to Old Trafford in the summer of 2022, and it is being reported that the Red Devils could reignite their interest.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Jean-Clair Todibo
© Reuters
Current club: Nice
Age: 24
Position: Centre-back
Rumoured asking price: £40m
Transfer value: £29.8m
Career appearances: 172
Career goals: 3
Honours
Todibo was linked with a move to Man United in the summer of 2023, and the Red Devils are still said to be interested, as Raphael Varane is leaving on a free transfer.
The 24-year-old recently refused to rule out a switch to Old Trafford, and it is a move that the club could pursue if a deal for Everton’s Branthwaite is abandoned.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Ollie Watkins
© Reuters
Current club: Aston Villa
Age: 28
Position: Striker
Rumoured asking price: £60m
Transfer value: £55.3m
Career appearances: 415
Career goals: 155
A recent report claimed that Man United were considering a summer move for Watkins, who scored 27 goals and registered 13 assists in 52 appearances for Villa during the 2024-25 campaign.
However, a deal this summer will be difficult, as Watkins has fired his team into next season’s Champions League, and Unai Emery‘s side are unlikely to be prepared to sell the Englishman.
Our verdict: Unlikely
Antonio Silva
© Reuters
Current club: Benfica
Age: 20
Position: Centre-back
Rumoured asking price: £85.2m
Transfer value: £38.3m
Career appearances: 98
Career goals: 7
Honours
Silva is widely regarded as one of the best young talents in European football, and Man United are believed to be long-term admirers of the Portugal international.
A recent report claimed that Man United had been in touch over a summer deal, but Benfica are not believed to be willing to let him leave for under his €100m (£85.2m) release clause.