Manchester United got a lot of their business done early this summer, wrapping up deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans before most of their rivals had even got going.
But with the window entering its final stretch, INEOS have gone relatively quiet and are expected to dip back into the market for at least three further additions.
A left-back remains high on the agenda, with Lewis Hall the standout target. The Newcastle full-back has impressed since his move from Chelsea, but the Magpies are adamant they have no intention of selling, leaving United to consider whether a fresh approach or a different name entirely might be needed before deadline day.
A third midfield addition also looks to be on the cards, with Lamine Camara the man in the frame there. United have already lodged an official enquiry for the Monaco starley, whose energy and progressive qualities have made him an appealing option to bolster the middle of the park further.
Several teams in the Premier League are interested in the Senegal starlet, with Newcastle among his admirers and Crystal Palace seeing a bid knocked back in the region of £35m.
Man Utd’s Summer Targets — Likelihood Tracker
|
Player |
Position |
Club |
Stage of Deal |
Likelihood |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Lamine Camara |
Midfielder |
Monaco |
United have officially submitted an enquiry but face lots of competition. |
Medium |
|
Jarell Quansah |
Centre-back |
Bayer Leverkusen |
United are in ‘active talks’, though the player reportedly prefers Arsenal. |
Medium |
|
Ibrahim Mbaye |
Winger |
PSG |
Contact made with his representatives over interest and wage demands. |
Medium |
|
Victor Osimhen |
Striker |
Galatasaray |
United have discussed a deal internally but made no approach yet. |
Low-Medium |
|
Lewis Hall |
Left-back |
Newcastle |
Priority target but Newcastle flatly rejecting any sale. |
Low |
Then there’s the forward-line reshuffle. With Bryan Mbeumo increasingly being deployed through the middle in pre-season, United are said to be eyeing a new, versatile wide option to rival Amad on the right – someone who can operate across the front line in a similar mould to Mbeumo. That search has led them to PSG’s Ibrahim Mbaye.
United were linked with an approach for the Senegal international earlier this week, with reports in Spain claiming Old Trafford chiefs have already made contact with PSG over a potential deal, while Liverpool and Aston Villa have also been credited with interest.
Football FanCast sources can now confirm that conversation has moved a step further – United have been in direct dialogue with Mbaye’s representatives to establish his interest levels and wage demands. The player is understood to be open to a move to the Premier League, though he specifically wants to remain in the Champions League, a box that both United and Liverpool tick.
Mbaye, still only 18, has already made history as the youngest player to start a match for PSG, doing so at just 16. He’s contributed eight goal involvements in 42 senior appearances and has four goals in 15 caps for Senegal, including a stunning solo strike against France at this summer’s World Cup – gliding past several defenders before slotting home in injury time, a moment that had pundits dubbing him “the next Kylian Mbappe”.
“His potential for improvement is enormous. He’s already won many trophies. At 17, I was playing in the Gambardella Cup. He’s a phenomenon who’s at an excellent club with a very good coach.” – Former Senegal coach Pape Thiaw
With a contract at the Parc des Princes running to 2027 and PSG reportedly willing to do business for a fee in excess of £42m, this represents exactly the kind of high-upside, reasonably priced deal INEOS have shown a taste for this summer.
United could also look at a more traditional No.9, though, with Victor Osimhen up for grabs this summer. It’s understood the Nigerian’s wage demands were a significant factor in failed moves to the Premier League in the past however, meaning any United move for Osimhen would need to come with the financial muscle to match his monster salary.
