The rumour mill is in full swing with daily stories of players coming and going.
Saudi Arabian clubs are being linked with a high volume of players, with Karim Benzema having already agreed to join champions Al Ittihad next season.
Each weekday we'll bring you the best transfer gossip and the likelihood of those transfer stories bearing fruit.
Inter Milan are interested in defender Eric Garcia, with Barcelona open to a sale, report Sport. The Catalan giants are keen to offload a number of players in the summer transfer window, as they look to trim their wage bill to comply with La Liga’s Financial Fair Play rules. The report indicates that if Garcia is open to the move, Barcelona will not stand in his way, with the 22-year-old Spaniard unlikely to be a regular starter next season. It is understood Barcelona have priced Garcia at €15 million.
David de Gea looks likely to depart Manchester United this summer, amid interest from Spain and Saudi Arabia, per ESPN. The 32-year-old goalkeeper will become a free agent at the end of the month, and whilst the report suggests that talks are still ongoing over a new, long-term deal, there is no guarantee De Gea will extend his 13-year stay at old Trafford. The Red Devils had the chance to trigger a one-year extension on his deal, which would have kept him at the club until 2024, however, this option expired in May. Saudi giants Al Hilal have previously been linked with the Spain international.
Man United season ratings
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MANCHESTER UNITED 2022/23 SEASON RATINGS: GOALKEEPERS: David de Gea 6.5: Started all 38 league games and kept more clean sheets than any other goalkeeper, made numerous key saves, yet his mistakes are highlighted more. His presence in the team now divides fans, as does whether he should sign a new contract or be moved on. AP -
Tom Heaton 7: Second-choice goalkeeper for much of the season, which frustrated him as he felt he deserved to play more. Always professional and valued in the dressing room, the 37-year-old played well in two League Cup games, keeping a clean sheet and helping United towards Wembley. Getty -
DEFENDERS: Aaron Wan Bissaka 7: Barely figured before the festive period when his United future looked bleak, especially after a horror opening 15 minutes in a Cadiz friendly. Much better as the season went on and became first-choice full-back again. Excellent defensively, can still be suspect with his final ball going forward. EPA -
Diogo Dalot 7: First-choice right-back in the first half of the season as he started the first 15 league games, the 24-year-old was suspended then injured in November and came back a lesser player in February. Signed a new contract last week, which he deserves, but the right-back position remains an issue for Ten Hag. AP -
Victor Lindelof 6.5: Injured at the start of season then unable to break into the side but then played in 90 minutes in all of the last nine games – and performed well. Needed when Martinez was injured and selected over Maguire by a manager who rates him. Getty -
Harry Maguire 6: His worst season at United and probably in his pro career. Lost his place after the Brentford debacle and played second fiddle to others but didn’t actually play badly when in the team. Always spoke in a dignified manner, but footballers like to play football and he’s not getting enough at United. Getty -
Lisandro Martinez 8.5: Superb first season in England for the Argentine World Cup winner. Hammered for his height after a walloping at Brentford, he proved just about every doubter wrong with his fearless performances. The 25-year-old fractured a metatarsal against Sevilla. How costly that would prove. Became a cult hero among fans. Getty -
Raphael Varane 8: World-class defender who, like Casemiro, won it all at Real Madrid and lives up to his status most weeks. Only worry is how many games he can play – 22/38 league games is hardly the rock to build a team on. Tactically and technically peerless, he’s also calm, fast, aggressive and comfortable against the best sides. Remains a key player for United. PA -
Luke Shaw 7.5: Raises his game when his position is under threat. He was deservedly dropped after the two opening defeats and had to work his way back into the side ahead of new signing Malacia. Became a key United player. Powerful and attack-minded, he also performed well as a central defender, but left-back is where he excels. PA -
Tyrell Malacia 6.5: New signing from Feyenoord who didn’t wait long to show what he could do. His lack of experience became apparent over games though and he lost his place to Shaw. A creditable first season and it is a positive that he’s there to push first-choice left-back Shaw. Getty -
MIDFIELDERS: Fred 7: Only 12 league starts for the Brazilian as Casemiro and Eriksen took his place. Became a key player coming off the bench, bringing energy and a surprisingly high six goals. Disappointing season for him, yet contained some of his greatest moments as a United player – a goal against Barcelona and another belter in a magnificent October match against Spurs. AFP -
Casemiro 8.5: One of the best midfielders in the world and how he showed it. A key player throughout the season, the cement between the bricks in the eyes of his boss. Brings balance, closes spaces, breaks up play, assists, scores and better than anyone in the air. His seven goals were a bonus. Will hopefully learn from the two silly red cards that cost him and his team in the spring. AFP -
Christian Eriksen 7.5: Impressive season for the creative Dane. It was interrupted after he picked up a serious injury in January, but thankfully returned from by April. A creator capable of passing between the lines, the 31-year-old only scored twice, but showed his value with 10 assists. Getty -
Scott McTominay 6.5: Started season well, but lost his place in the side to Casemiro, which is nothing to be ashamed of. Aged 26, United could get a significant fee for him and that could happen this summer. A good Premier League standard footballer who could perform at a top-half side every week. A world-class midfielder for Man United? That would bring a different answer. Getty -
Bruno Fernandes 8: Started in an incredible 58 games and remained mostly injury-free. Moany and motivated, he scored an impressive 14 times (and picked up 12 yellow cards). A versatile leader who takes responsibility, he was comfortable with the penalty in the FA Cup final and likely to be United’s captain next season. PA -
Marcel Sabitzer 6.5: A January loan from Bayern Munich to cover for the injured Eriksen, Sabitzer’s two first-half goals against Sevilla were his highlight, but, like his time at the club, they didn’t have a happy ending. Missed the final games of the season to injury, but professional throughout. Leaves with best wishes. Reuters -
ATTACKERS: Jadon Sancho 6: Started well but then had an awful game in Europa League in Cyprus where he looked shot of confidence. Left out of the side, sent to the Netherlands to get him back into a place where he could play for Manchester United again and that happened. Is it unrealistic to expect much more than six league goals and three assists from a player who promised so much and cost so much? No. Getty -
Antony 7: Arrived with a huge fee from Ajax. Started 39 games and scored eight goals. Needs to score more, assist more, be less predictable and be a greater danger closer to goal. PA -
Cristiano Ronaldo 5: Didn’t want to be at the club but sent mixed messages to Ten Hag who asked him straight. A negative influence in the dressing room and the mood (and results) improved when he departed. Featured in 16 games and scored three. One of the greatest players ever, just not this season. PA -
Marcus Rashford 9: The 30-goal tally says it all. Where would United have been without those goals from a team over-reliant on a player who plays out left. Despondent last season, a full pre-season and a manager right behind him helped him perform all season. Needs a goalscorer alongside him and he could be even better. Player of the season. Getty -
Antony Martial 6: Eleven league starts isn’t enough. Nor is it surprising for a player whose career is badly afflicted by injury. The maddening thing is that when he plays United look a better side with him linking plays and his nine goals from only 17 starts across all competitons is no bad statistic. Getty -
Alejandro Garnacho 8: Breakthrough star who gets fans off their seats. Scored five goals, most notably the winner at Fulham in the final game before the World Cup finals. He’s not short of confidence and still has much to learn but he’s only 18 and has plenty of time to do that. Getty -
Facundo Pellistri 6: Started only one game and came on in nine others – where he usually made an impact by running at opponents and crossing. The Uruguayan international, 21, is a bright prospect. PA -
Wout Weghorst 6: He huffed and he puffed and he brought the ball down, the January loan signing was a goalscorer who doesn’t score, but he was affordable, gettable and fitted into Erik ten Hag’s system when he needed a striker after the departure of Ronaldo. Far from the standard of a top United striker, but he was available when others weren’t. EPA -
MANAGER: Erik ten Hag 8: Impressive first season for the Dutch manager with a trophy and a third-place finish. Going out limply to Sevilla stung, but he handled the big decisions well, especially concerning Ronaldo. A disciplinarian with a human touch, he’s no-nonsense and comfortable with the demands of being in charge of a huge club. Needs to be backed so he can continue to improve United. PA
Dejan Kulusevski looks set to sign for Tottenham Hotspur on a permanent basis, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Sweden international joined the Premier League side on an 18-month loan deal in January 2022, with Spurs having the chance to sign the winger permanently for £29 million if they qualified for the Champions League. However, despite Spurs missing out on the top four, Italian journalist Romano suggests Spurs will sign Kulusevski, with the 23-year-old signing a deal that will run until June 2027.
Romano also reports that Paris Saint-Germain are in talks with Bernardo Silva’s representatives over a potential move. The Portugal midfielder has been earmarked as a priority for the summer by the French giants, however, Romano suggests that Manchester City will demand a significant fee for the 28-year-old, who is under contract at the Etihad until 2025. PSG are keen to offload several high-profile players this summer to fund summer signings, and their interest in Silva will seemingly be tested by City, who reportedly priced the winger at £75 million for Barcelona, which saw the Catalan giants cool their interest last season.
Bayern Munich are monitoring Kyle Walker amid reports that the defender could leave Manchester City this summer, according to Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg. Whilst it is believed that there have been no discussions between Bayern and Walker’s representatives, the 33-year-old hEngland international as been identified by Bayern’s management as a potential signing to bolster Thomas Tuchel's defensive options. The City defender struggled for consistent game time under Pep Guardiola last season, and was left out of the starting XI for the Champions League final against Inter Milan this month that saw the English club complete a historic treble.
Bayern Munich hold an interest in Randal Kolo Muani, however the €100m asking price makes the deal unlikely, reports Sky Germany’s Florian Plettenberg. The Bavarian club are believed to be in the market for a striker this summer and Kolo Muani has been identified as an interesting option, following a breakthrough season for the 24-year-old who netted 23 goals, alongside 17 assists across competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt. Plettenberg suggests that French champions PSG are waiting in the wings should Bayern fail to make a move.
Newcastle are interested in a move for Inter Milan’s Nicolo Barella, however, the club will be forced to break their transfer record, per Football Insider. Whilst the Magpies view Barella as a priority signing this summer, as Eddie Howe looks to bolster his midfield options, it is reported that Newcastle value Barella lower than Inter’s valuation of £70m. The 26-year-old Italy international is under contract at the San Siro until 2026.
