Manchester United transfer round-up as a successor for Bruno Fernandes is named and a Serie A star comes onto the club’s radar
There are question marks over Bruno Fernandes’s Manchester United future(Image: Manchester United via Getty Imag)
Manchester United are on the crest of a wave after stunning victories over Manchester City and Arsenal. United look like a different team under interim boss Michael Carrick, who has propelled himself into contention for the job on a permanent basis.
That is provided his side keep up their recent form by landing a Champions League spot. Next up is Sunday’s home clash against Fulham, who are also chasing European football under highly-rated boss Marco Silva.
Unlike the managerial situation, it has been a quiet January on the transfer front at Old Trafford. However, feverish work is underway behind the scenes ahead of an expected squad revamp in the summer. Mirror Football brings you the latest United transfer news…
Fernandes successor named
United will be loath to lose their captain, Bruno Fernandes, who has been one of the club’s few reliable performers in recent times. However, there have been suggestions that the Portuguese playmaker has grown tired of the regular cycle of upheaval at the club and may want out in the summer.
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It would be big shoes to fill but according to former Liverpool and England midfielder Danny Murphy, Chelsea‘s Cole Palmer could be the man. Amid suggestions he is unhappy at Chelsea – another club with a revolving managerial door – Palmer would reportedly consider moving to the club he supported as a boy.
READ MORE: Harry Maguire transfer talks accelerate as Man Utd star faces contract dilemmaREAD MORE: Michael Carrick’s comments about Cole Palmer speak volumes as star ‘open to Man Utd deal’
While it would take a large bid to extract him from Stamford Bridge, Murphy can see it happening. He told BestBettingSites: “The way football works, if you’re a player of that quality and you’ve always had a love for a particular club, it’s not a huge stretch to imagine things lining up, especially if United were to go on a run.
“A lot of Chelsea fans think the club is more of a business than a football project, so could I see Cole Palmer leaving for Manchester United? Yes, I could. I wouldn’t want it to happen, but I could see it. Bruno Fernandes needs a successor.”
Cole Palmer is being linked with a sensational move to Manchester United(Image: Getty Images)
United given green light for £70m deal
United are alert after it emerged AC Milan are open to cashing in on Portuguese star Rafael Leao this summer. Despite Patrick Dorgu’s excellent recent form since being pushed into a more attacking role, United are looking to strengthen on the left wing, according to the Daily Mail.
Leao, 26, who has previously been linked with Arsenal, has been cited as a potential option with a price tag of around £70m, which would help the San Siro side in their planned squad overhaul.
Rafael Leao is one of the top stars of Serie A(Image: AC Milan via Getty Images)
Leao has certainly proven himself in Serie A with 78 goals and 65 assists in 278 appearances. His admirers include none other than Milan legend and former United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who has branded him “magic” and “one of the best players in the world“.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
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Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.