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'Certain' Man Utd exit on the cards as Red Devils name price for 20-year-old
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F02%2Falejandro-garnacho-kobbie-mainoo.jpg "Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo celebrate on May 25, 2024")
Manchester United protege Kobbie Mainoo apparently looks 'certain' to be sold by the Red Devils in the wake of their crushing Europa League final loss.
Ruben Amorim failed to mastermind a much-needed success in Bilbao over Tottenham Hotspur, who prevailed 1-0 on Wednesday to clinch a coveted spot in the Champions League.
As a result, Man United will not play any form of European football in the 2025-26 campaign, and the fallout from Wednesday's unsuccessful trip to Spain has already hit the club hard.
The Red Devils have lost out on tens of millions of pounds by failing to win the Europa League, and staff have allegedly been warned about another wave of redundancies as part of Sir Jim Ratcliffe's extreme cost-cutting measures.
Slot can repeat City formation trick as 'formal approach' made for £126m transfer
![Germany's Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz celebrate the team's first goal on June 14, 2024 [IMAGO]](https://www.sportsmole.co.uk/thumbor/S12yx39Wuti3YGv21pcOZizWzsI=/640x480/smart/filters:format(webp)/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F24%2Fjamal-musiala-florian-wirtz_1.jpg "Germany's Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz celebrate the team's first goal on June 14, 2024 [IMAGO]")
Liverpool have supposedly started talks to sign Bayer Leverkusen attacker Florian Wirtz, whom they would have to make their most expensive acquisition of all time.
The Reds are believed to have originally been one of three teams pushing to sign the Germany international in the summer window, along with Manchester City and Bayern Munich.
Pep Guardiola reportedly viewed Wirtz as the natural heir to the Kevin De Bruyne throne, but the Citizens soon pulled out of the race due to the extortionate cost of the deal.
Leverkusen are believed to value Wirtz at a staggering £126m, which had not completely put Bayern off, but the player himself is thought to favour a switch to Anfield rather than the Allianz Arena.
'In talks': Gunners settle on striker target as Arteta looks to challenge Reds
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F11%2Fmikel-arteta_2.jpg "Mikel Arteta of Arsenal after his side's match against Leicester City, on February 15, 2025")
Arsenal are said to have entered concrete talks with RB Leipzig for striker Benjamin Sesko, who has a release clause in the region of £67m.
The Gunners will play the final game of their Premier League season on Sunday against Southampton away from home, and they look destined to finish second for a third consecutive campaign.
Boss Mikel Arteta will aim to correct the mistakes of this term in the transfer market, and he is likely to add attacking reinforcements as a matter of priority.
Striker Kai Havertz has often been criticised for his performances up front, but one of the bigger issues has been the fact that many of the team's forward options have suffered serious injuries.
Bayern to raid United for Wirtz 'alternative' as Red Devils look to sell
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F51%2Fvincent-kompany.jpg "Manager of Bayern Munich Vincent Kompany during his side's match against Mainz 05, on December 14, 2024")
Bayern Munich have reportedly considered bringing Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes to the club as an alternative to Florian Wirtz.
The Bavarians had long thought to be the favourites to sign Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz, with the club prepared to pay significant funds to land arguably their Bundesliga rivals' best player.
However, reports emerged on Friday that Liverpool are the 22-year-old's preferred destination, and that could force Bayern boss Vincent Kompany to look for alternatives.
Signing an attacking talent could be of paramount importance given Thomas Muller will not be at the club next season, Harry Kane will be 32 next term, and Leroy Sane looks certain to leave.
Reds and Bayern learn who Wirtz 'favours' as transfer decision approaches
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F48%2Fflorian-wirtz.jpg "Bayer Leverkusen's Florian Wirtz on November 26, 2024")
Florian Wirtz is reported to prefer a move to Liverpool over Bayern Munich in the summer transfer window, with the Reds keen to strengthen their forward line.
The Merseysiders will lift the Premier League trophy in front of a packed Anfield crowd on Sunday when they welcome Crystal Palace to the stadium, bringing an end to their successful 2024-25 campaign.
However, with the summer window fast approaching, attention has turned to whom the club could bring in to bolster their squad ahead of their title defence in 2025-26.
Bayer Leverkusen star Jeremie Frimpong looks certain to be the team's first addition, and his arrival would be a welcome boost given Trent Alexander-Arnold has announced his intention to leave upon the expiry of his contract.
Gyokeres, Mystery man: Arsenal 'deciding between' two striker targets
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F20%2Fviktor-gyokeres.jpg "Sporting Lisbon's Viktor Gyokeres celebrates on May 4, 2025")
Arsenal are reportedly yet to decide between making a move for Viktor Gyokeres or another striker during the summer transfer window.
The Gunners are set to finish second in the Premier League for a third straight campaign as they travel to Southampton this weekend on the final day of the term.
Mikel Arteta's men were unable to run Liverpool close in the title race, with Arne Slot picking up an English crown during his first campaign on these shores.
It has been widely stated that Arsenal have struggled without the presence of a world-class number nine at the top of their attack this term.
Premier League raid: Real Madrid 'put together' shortlist of Modric replacements
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F42%2Fluka-modric.jpg "Real Madrid's Luka Modric pictured on October 5, 2024")
Real Madrid have reportedly drawn up a shortlist of potential Luka Modric replacements ahead of the new season.
The veteran midfielder announced on Thursday that he would be departing the Spanish giants at the end of this term after 13 years at the club.
It is certainly a time of change at the Bernabeu, with head coach Carlo Ancelotti confirming that he is to step aside at the conclusion of 2024-25.
Los Blancos will welcome former player Xabi Alonso into the managerial hotseat, with the Spaniard enjoying plenty of success recently at Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
Capital clash as Arsenal, Chelsea 'set to battle' for £20m defender
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F03%2Fcristhian-mosquera.jpg "Valencia's Cristhian Mosquera on January 11, 2025")
Arsenal and Chelsea are reportedly interested in signing Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera this summer.
The Gunners are assured of a Champions League spot next season, however the Blues still have work to do in order to earn a place in UEFA's elite club competition.
Enzo Maresca's men boosted their chances of a top-five finish last week, when a second-half Marc Cucurella goal was enough to beat Manchester United in the Premier League.
The West London outfit are still in the hunt for a continental trophy, facing off against La Liga side Real Betis in the final of the Conference League on Wednesday night.
"We've given him permission" - Is Delap on verge of £30m Man United move?
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F13%2Fliam-delap.jpg "Liam Delap of Ipswich Town before his side's Premier League match against Manchester United, on February 26, 2025")
Ipswich Town head coach Kieran McKenna has confirmed that Liam Delap has spoken to Manchester United about a move to Old Trafford, with the Red Devils viewed as the favourites to sign the striker this summer.
There is a £30m release clause in Delap's contract following Ipswich's relegation from the Premier League, and it appears almost certain that he will be on the move during this summer's transfer window.
The 22-year-old has scored 12 times and registered two assists in 36 Premier League appearances this term, and a recent report in The Athletic said that the striker had been in Manchester earlier this week to discuss a switch to Old Trafford.
McKenna has confirmed that was the case, but Man United are not the only club in for him, with Chelsea and Newcastle United also believed to be keen to secure his services at the end of the campaign.
'Talks planned' as Man United 'set out' Garnacho stance after war of words with Amorim
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F21%2Falejandro-garnacho.jpg "Manchester United's Alejandro Garnacho on May 22, 2025")
Manchester United are reportedly open to selling Alejandro Garnacho during this summer's transfer window, with the Argentina international's relationship with head coach Ruben Amorim believed to have broken down.
Garnacho has scored 11 goals and registered 10 assists in 58 appearances for Man United this season, but he was surprisingly left out of the starting XI for the Europa League final with Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday night.
The 20-year-old was eventually introduced in the 71st minute of the match, and his brother and agent took to social media shortly after the full-time whistle at San Mames to criticise Amorim's decision.
"Working as no one else, helping every round, coming from two goals in the last two finals, just to be on the pitch for 19 mins and get thrown under the bus. Wowe hahahahahaha," Roberto Garnacho wrote on Instagram.
Premier League club 'speed up negotiations' to sign in-demand Brazil international
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F50%2Fjoao-pedro.jpg "Brighton & Hove Albion's Joao Pedro celebrates on August 24, 2024.")
Chelsea have reportedly stolen a march on their rivals in the race to sign Brighton & Hove Albion forward Joao Pedro.
The Brazil international currently finds himself out of contention at the Amex Stadium due to an alleged bust-up with defender Jan Paul van Hecke.
However, that will not take away from the 23-year-old's impact with the Seagulls this campaign, a total of 10 goals and six assists coming from 27 appearances in the Premier League.
Head coach Fabian Hurzeler has spoken of his desire to retain the versatile attacker's services in the long term, but Brighton would consider opportunities to make a substantial profit on the £30m that they shelled out in 2023.
Slot responds to Deco comments, namechecks two Barcelona players he 'admires'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F40%2Farne-slot_1.jpg "Liverpool manager Arne Slot during the Premier League match against Crystal Palace, on October 5, 2024")
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has laughed off recent comments made by Barcelona sporting director Deco by revealing two players that he likes from the La Liga champions.
While the Merseyside giants are currently preparing to lift the Premier League title at Anfield on Sunday, club officials are putting together plans for the summer transfer window.
Although Liverpool have signalled their intent when it comes to signing a new right-back, they also face a battle to retain some of their star players.
With just two years left on his contract, Luis Diaz falls into that category and there has been consistent speculation regarding an eventual switch to Barcelona.
Wolves 'among 11 clubs' chasing summer deal for £25m-rated Man City star
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F02%2Fjames-mcatee.jpg "Manchester City's James McAtee on December 4, 2024")
Wolverhampton Wanderers have reportedly identified Manchester City playmaker James McAtee as a potential summer transfer target.
For the first time in his career, the academy graduate has been viewed as someone who can earn regular minutes in Pep Guardiola's first-team squad.
However, as well as making only nine starts and 18 substitute outings in all competitions during 2024-25, McAtee was left out of the plans for the FA Cup final earlier this month.
At a time when Guardiola has publicly insisted that his squad must be reduced once the market reopens in June, a player such as McAtee - whose contract expires in 2026 - is a prime candidate to depart the Etihad Stadium.
Maresca comments on Fernandez's Chelsea future amid Real Madrid links
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F14%2Fenzo-fernandez_3.jpg "Chelsea's Enzo Fernandez celebrates on April 3, 2025")
Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has dismissed speculation linking midfielder Enzo Fernandez with a future transfer to Real Madrid.
Since his £106.7m transfer from Benfica in January 2023, the performances of the Argentina international have come under heavy scrutiny.
There have been times when Fernandez has struggled to justify his price-tag, largely through his initial return in terms of goals and assists.
However, that has significantly improved during 2024-25, a total of seven goals and 13 assists being contributed from his 44 appearances in all competitions.
Summer plans: Antony price tag 'revealed' as Man United 'prioritise three sales'
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F24%2F36%2Fantony.jpg "Manchester United's Antony on August 24, 2024")
Manchester United are reportedly prioritising the sales of Marcus Rashford, Antony and Jadon Sancho this summer, as the Red Devils look to raise valuable funds to boost their squad for the 2025-26 campaign.
Ruben Amorim's side, as it stands, are believed to have a transfer budget of just shy of £100m, and the bulk of that could be spent with the expected arrivals of Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap from Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town respectively.
Any further arrivals will seemingly depend on outgoings, and according to the Manchester Evening News, the club's main focus at this moment in time is to negotiate the exits of Rashford, Antony and Sancho.
Aston Villa will have the chance to sign Rashford on a permanent basis for £40m this summer, but it is understood that the club are yet to decide whether to bring the England international to Villa Park on a long-term deal.
Man United's summer transfer budget 'revealed' after Europa League devastation
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F21%2Fmatheus-cunha.jpg "Wolverhampton Wanderers attacker Matheus Cunha on May 20, 2025")
Manchester United reportedly have a summer transfer budget of 'a little less than £100m', with the team planning to be active during the upcoming market despite their failure to qualify for the 2025-26 Champions League.
The Red Devils have had a disastrous domestic season, sitting down in 16th spot in the Premier League table, but they would have saved their campaign with a victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League final on Wednesday night.
Ruben Amorim's side suffered a 1-0 defeat to the North London club, and there will not be any European football at Old Trafford next season, which has huge financial implications.
According to The Guardian, as it stands, Man United have a transfer budget for just shy of £100m, which can be spent without sanctioning sales.
An extraordinary campaign for Barca star Raphinha has just got even better
/https%3A%2F%2Fsportsmole-media-prod.s3.gra.io.cloud.ovh.net%2F25%2F04%2Fraphinha.jpeg "Barcelona's Raphinha in action on January 21, 2025")
Barcelona have announced that Raphinha has signed a new contract with the club until June 2028.
The Brazil international has had an extraordinary campaign for the Catalan giants, making 56 appearances in all competitions, scoring 34 goals and registering 25 assists in the process.
There had been some speculation surrounding the 28-year-old's future, with clubs from the Premier League and Saudi Pro League believed to be keeping a close eye on his situation.
However, Barcelona have now announced that Raphinha has penned a contract extension which will keep him at the club until the end of the 2027-28 campaign, ending the speculation surrounding his future.
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