Manchester United fans have needed to get used to cagey press conferences from Ruben Amorim over his unsuccessful tenure so far.

Although United are somewhat in a fight for European football, they have underwhelmed once again this term under the Portuguese manager.

Well, once more, he made some interesting statements in his most recent pre-match press conference, which has led to a lack of clarity surrounding future transfers. When asked about the size of the budget heading into the January transfer window and beyond, Amorim said “I don’t want to talk about that,” avoiding the issue altogether.

His comments after the 1-1 draw at Leeds were perhaps even more perplexing.

Whatever the case, the Red Devils are linked with new midfielders who could improve Amoirm’s squad and his chances of succeeding at the club.

Man United target Premier League midfielder

There has been no shortage of links for United looking to sign a new midfielder. Two of the names that continuously crop up are England duo Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton. They could each cost upwards of £100m to sign.

Instead, United may look at an alternative option from within the Premier League.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, the ‘dream target’ for the Red Devils is still Brighton and Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, who is said to be ‘open to a switch’ to Old Trafford.

However, United are not alone in the hunt for Baleba’s signature. The Cameroon international has also drawn keen interest from Liverpool, with Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City also ‘admirers.’ As for a fee, the 22-year-old could reportedly cost as much as £87m, slightly cheaper than United’s other options.

What Baleba could bring to United's midfield

It has certainly been a bit of an up-and-down campaign for Baleba. He has, at times, not looked at his best, but his recent form at AFCON with Cameroon and his performances last season highlight why United are willing to pay such a huge fee.

This term, the former Lille star has played 16 times in the Premier League, only notching up 903 minutes. That leaves him with an average of ten full 90-minute games. He has certainly not been at his best, perhaps reflected in fewer minutes than you may expect.

However, that should not be too much of a concern for the Red Devils. At his very best, of which he has shown glimmers this season, Baleba is a “monster” according to football scout Antonio Mango. He also offers a threat going forward and is prone to a spectacular goal, like this one against West Ham United.

United certainly need a profile like Baleba in midfield; that is to say, a defensively dominant midfielder who offers progression going forward. In that sense, this deal could be the Red Devils’ own version of when Chelsea signed Moises Caicedo back in 2023 from the Seagulls.

The Ecuadorian star has been brilliant for Chelsea, described as “one of the best in the world” in his position by teammate Robert Sanchez.

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There are obvious similarities between the pair, not least because of their Brighton connection. Caicedo is also known to score a spectacular goal from range, too.

However, the likeness goes further than that. According to FBref’s similar players tool, they were noted as two of the most similar players to each other in the Premier League last season, with their underlying numbers comparable. For example, Baleba averaged 4.2 tackles and interceptions per 90 minutes compared to Caicedo’s 4.38.

Baleba & Caicedo key stats 24/25 PL

Stat (per 90)

Baleba

Caicedo

Key passes

0.71

0.81

Progressive passes

3.99

5.78

Progressive carries

1.45

1.16

Ball recoveries

6.66

6.16

Tackles and interceptions

4.2

4.38

Stats from FBref

This is a profile of midifelder that would quickly enhance United’s side. To have someone who is so efficient off the ball, as the numbers show, yet also offering a progressive outlet at the base of the midfield, would be key for Amorim.

Of course, £87m is a huge investment, but for United to bring their own Caicedo to the club would be a huge addition and go a long way to improving their fortunes.

Related Their own Declan Rice: Man Utd hold talks over signing CM "machine"

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Arsenal have now made contact to sign an “exceptional” midfielder, and they are prepared to make a £35m offer to secure his signature in 2026.

Gunners looking to strengthen in midfield

Mikel Arteta has now hinted there could be some new arrivals in the January transfer window, given the scale of the injury crisis he has been forced to endure, with the return dates of Cristhian Mosquera, Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori still unknown.

The manager said: “We’re going to be really aware of the situation and the timescale of certain players. We have to be actively looking, and then can we do it or not?

“That’s a different story, but our job is to be always very prepared because something can happen.”

While Arteta has been left short on options in defence, meaning Declan Rice had to fill in at right-back last time out, the likes of Mikel Merino and Martin Zubimendi have been reliable options in recent weeks, and Martin Odegaard scored in the 2-1 victory against Brighton.

However, the north Londoners are also keen to bring in a new central midfielder in 2026, with reports from Italy (via Sport Witness) revealing they have now made initial contact over a deal for Club Brugge’s Aleksandar Stankovic.

Inter Milan are expected to exercise their buy-back clause to purchase Stankovic for €23m (£20m) next summer, before selling him to a new club, and Arsenal are waiting in the wings, alongside bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur.

Both Premier League sides are prepared to make a €40m (£35m) offer next summer, but Inter may be in a position to demand even more, given just how impressive the 20-year-old has been for Club Brugge…

Related Arsenal now make phone call to sign £88m star they're constantly monitoring

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Posts ByDominic Lund "Exceptional" Stankovic proving his worth in Belgium

The Club Brugge star, who specialises in defensive midfield, has emerged as a key player for the Belgian club this season, having already made 30 appearances in all competitions, contributing three goals and two assists.

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Despite often featuring in a deeper role, the Serbian youngster has displayed a keen eye for goal over the past year, while he has also been dominant in the air, when compared to other midfielders.

Aleksandar Stankovic’s key statistics

Average per 90 (past year)

Non-penalty goals

0.12 (81st percentile)

Touches (Att pen)

1.85 (84th percentile)

Clearances

3.63 (98th percentile)

Aerials won

2.16 (94th percentile)

Not only that, but the starlet also received high praise from scout Jacek Kulig earlier this season, who has been particularly impressed by his leadership skills.

Although Arsenal have plenty of top-quality options in midfield, such as Rice and Zubimendi, Stankovic could be an exciting long-term addition to the squad.

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Despite the end of the Premier League season, some players are still yet to jet off on their holidays with the Nations League and Copa America taking centre stage.

The European U21 championship however has slightly gone under the radar, but the tournament is set to get under way on Sunday with England one of the early favourites to win it all.

With the side set to face France on Tuesday night, Leicester star Demarai Gray took to Instagram to share a video and message of them being ready for the beginning of the tournament.

The post led to Wilfred Ndidi sending a reply to wish his Foxes teammate well, with Gray enjoying a fine record at U21 level with seven goals in 23 games.

Despite featuring heavily last season under both Claude Puel and Brendan Rodgers, Gray managed just four goals and the one assist in 34 Premier League games and even acknowledged that he needed to step up his contributions to the team.

With the Euros representing his final major tournament outing with the U21s, the former Birmingham City star admitted that he was desperate to end his time with the youth side on a positive note. He said (via the official FA website): “This is the biggest tournament outside of senior level this summer, it’s my last Euros, and I want to win it to end my U21s career on a high.”

Tottenham will be ‘inundated’ with offers for Joe Rodon if they choose to sell him this summer, according to Sky Sports reporter Michael Bridge.

The Lowdown: No future under Conte?

The 24-year-old has barely had a look-in under Antonio Conte and was duly linked with a move away from the club in January.

The centre-back arrived at Spurs in 2020 following an £11m agreement with boyhood club Swansea, but his career in the Premier League has not started the way he would have wanted. The 6 foot 4 Welshman has made just 13 appearances in the Premier League and played a mere 78 minutes of top-flight football this season.

Rodon has featured on three occasions for Conte, with two of these appearances coming in the FA Cup, from which they were eliminated by Middlesbrough last week.

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The Latest: Bridge’s claim on Rodon…

Bridge has claimed that Tottenham would not be short of buyers if they decide to sell the Wales international in the summer.

Speaking to GiveMeSport, the journalist said of Rodon: “He could be one of those players who never catches a break at Tottenham and goes on somewhere and does really well. But if Tottenham decide to say, look, it’s not going to happen, they’ll be inundated with offers this summer.”

The Verdict: He needs the move

Whilst Tottenham are in no means blessed with a wide array of centre-back options, Conte has seemingly passed on selecting the 24-year-old at every given opportunity.

Therefore, he clearly has a case for possibly feeling aggrieved over a lack of playing time; especially since the Italian has opted to play a natural left-back in Ben Davies as a makeshift centre-half instead of trusting in the ex-Swansea defender.

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If Rodon wants to continue playing at the top level, he may need to move elsewhere in pursuit of first-team action, and it doesn’t appear that Conte would stand in his way if the 24-year-old were to push for an exit from N17.

With the Welshman having drawn glowing comparisons with three-time Premier League winner John Stones in the past, he could indeed be the subject of much interest if Spurs are willing to offload him, as Bridge has suggested.

In other news: Carlton Palmer makes worrying claim about these two big personalities at Spurs

As per Football Insider, there has been a managerial twist at Manchester United involving Chelsea boss and rival Premier League manager Thomas Tuchel.

The Lowdown: Search for Rangnick’s heir begins…

It is believed that interim Old Trafford boss Ralf Rangnick is not set to be offered the job on a permanent basis with the 63-year-old instead taking up an advisory role.

As the German gears up for a more of a consultancy position with the United hierarchy, Red Devils chief John Murtough has reportedly been spearheading the search for his managerial heir.

The likes of Mauricio Pochettino and Erik ten Hag are regularly linked with the position, but as per Football Insider, it appears club chiefs now have a new top target in mind.

The Latest: United set sights on Tuchel…

In a stunning twist, United are allegedly set to ‘go all out’ to land the Champions League-winning Tuchel from Chelsea – coming after ‘dramatic developments’ at Stamford Bridge.

Roman Abramovich, the west Londoners’ owner, was sanctioned by the UK government on Thursday amid his native Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

His assets were frozen as a result, throwing Chelsea’s future into disrepute, and United are now ‘seizing the opportunity’ to try and appoint Tuchel as a result.

The Verdict: Huge claim…

As this huge claim emerges, if United were to take advantage and hire Tuchel, they would certainly be taking a proven winner.

Described as a ‘mad genius’ by journalist Jason Burt of The Telegraph, the 48-year-old has also averaged a higher points per 90 (1.94) over his managerial career than fellow top candidate Pochettino (1.67).

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Guiding both Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain to multiple major trophy wins, Tuchel was the recipient of last year’s ‘World’s Best Club Coach’ award (Transfermarkt).

He certainly stands out as a prestigious contender for the United hot seat and this update certainly comes as a major one.

In other news: Rangnick set to green-light high profile Man United exit as news emerges on ‘unbelievable’ player! Find out more here.

After losing his first game as Leeds United boss at the weekend, Jesse Marsch faces a quick turnaround when his side take on Aston Villa at Elland Road on Thursday night.

The Whites fell to a narrow 1-0 defeat to Leicester to further bring them into a relegation dogfight, and Marsch will need to quickly find a way to inspire some change.

And, one way he could potentially do that, is by turning to one of the club’s brightest academy prospects: Sam Greenwood.

With just 12 minutes of Premier League football to his name this season – his sole outing came in the 4-1 defeat to Arsenal at Elland Road towards the back end of last year – it’s fair to say the 19-year-old hasn’t exactly had much of a look-in.

And, considering the Whites’ top-flight status is in serious jeopardy, it would certainly be a bold call for Marsch to throw Greenwood into the deep end, but it might be the kind of exciting gamble that just gives everyone around the club, including the fans, a much-needed lift.

According to Football Insider previously, the teenager is someone who has been making waves behind-the-scenes, and that he left a great impression with former boss Marcelo Bielsa.

The report said: “But one of the cheaper, less-heralded signings of last year has the United coaching staff at Thorpe Arch increasingly convinced he has a massive future ahead of him.

“A Leeds source has told Football Insider that teenage forward Sam Greenwood has blown Marcelo Bielsa and his backroom team away with his promise and potential to be a bona fide Premier League star.

“To say the 19-year-old is highly thought of is an understatement, with the word “phenomenal” regularly used to describe him behind the scenes.”

In his debut season campaign at Elland Road, Greenwood bagged 12 goals in just 18 games, playing in a number of different roles, including up front, behind the striker and further back as a central midfielder.

And, he’s got a big fan in former Leeds ace Noel Whelan, who said: “(He’s) another player who possesses an immense amount of ability. To have a weapon like that in your side is great. You can see the ability he has but the free-kicks are about the hard work he puts in on the training ground and for that he deserves to be praised.”

Given his deadly ability from set-pieces, and his versatility in playing a number of roles, Greenwood possesses a number of characteristics that mark him out as a very intriguing prospect for Marsch to develop at Elland Road.

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While Gelhardt of course is the name on everybody’s lips, it’s his academy teammate who may be the more exciting out of the pair given just how well he seems to have impressed behind-the-scenes.

If given the chance, he might even overtake Joffy in the pecking order.

Meanwhile, Leeds are eyeing this attacker…

Phil Hay has dropped a worrying update on Leeds United’s ongoing case regarding Jean-Kevin Augustin.

What’s the latest?

In a post on Twitter on Tuesday, The Athletic correspondent revealed that, over two years after the centre-forward’s now-infamous loan move to Elland Road in January of 2020, the case between RB Leipzig and Leeds United regarding the disputed transfer of the 24-year-old was finally set to be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport – with a final decision on the matter expected to be made in the not too distant future.

However, in a further post, Hay went on to suggest that FIFA’s original decision that the Premier League side were in the wrong regarding the Frenchman’s transfer would not appear to bode well for Leeds’ chances of winning their hearing with CAS.

In his tweet, the journalist said: “FIFA felt that the letter of the contract, as well as the spirit of it, was in Leipzig’s favour.”

Radrizzani will be livid

Considering just how much money hangs in the balance for a player that, regardless of the result of the CAS hearing, will not be joining Leeds, the suggestion that the Whites will more than likely fail to get themselves off the hook for the £18m transfer fee of Augustin is sure to have left Andrea Radrizzani livid.

Indeed, the 24-year-old – who is now valued at just £1.35m by Transfermarkt – endured a torrid spell at Elland Road, featuring for a grand total of just returning to Leipzig at the end of his temporary contract on June 30 2020.

However, with Leeds having agreed an £18m deal to sign the former France U21 international if they were to go on and achieve promotion that season – which they subsequently did, albeit after the striker had returned to Germany due to the suspension of the footballing season that year – Leipzig believe that the Whites still owe them the agreed price for Augustin, while the English outfit claim that the hitman’s contract had ended prior to them securing promotion.

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But, with FIFA having already sided with the Bundesliga club, as Hay suggests, it does not look as if Leeds will be getting off lightly for Augustin – something that will certainly come as a great annoyance to the Whites hierarchy.

AND in other news: Sold for £900k, went on to be worth £27m: Leeds had a shocker on “unbelievable” 31 y/o

Patrick Vieira has been rebuilding Crystal Palace by adding a number of young players into the squad since his arrival last summer and will surely be looking to continue his progression by recruiting further this summer.

However, the Frenchman could be set for his first howler with the latest transfer news at the club.

What’s the word?

According to reports, via the Daily Mail, Crystal Palace have joined Southampton in registering their interest in Tottenham Hotspur player, Harry Winks ahead of the summer transfer window.

After struggling to prove his worth at Spurs, the 26-year-old is now reportedly set for a move away at the end of the season, and Palace could be an option for him.

The report suggests that Vieira wants to add strength and depth to his current side for the 2022/23 season, with Winks now a target for the club.

Vieira set for howler

It’s safe to say that the Eagles boss has made all the right moves when it comes to transfers so far in his short tenure at Palace, signing up the likes of Jean-Philippe Mateta, Marc Guehi and Michael Olise in permanent deals, all of whom have become important first team players since they joined.

Signing Winks from Tottenham could easily become Vieira’s first howler in his rebuild, with the player failing to make a credible impact on Tottenham and often scathed for his performances at the London club.

Spurs insider John Wenham slammed the 26-year-old after Tottenham crashed out of the Europa Conference League earlier this season.

“Winks was so bad he was omitted from the West Ham squad completely when we can have nine substitutes.

“Winks was poor on the night and he’s been poor all season, so disappointing.

“He’s well down the pecking order. The fact he felt the need to go to the press is terrible.”

According to SofaScore, the £91k-per-week midfielder has failed to impress at Spurs with his performance statistics highlighting his mediocrity in his 14 Premier League appearances. He has made two errors leading to shots from the opposition, is only successful in 50% of his dribble attempts and aerial duels and is dribbled past 0.9 times on average per game.

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As a result, there is definitely time to look into better options for Crystal Palace going forward and Winks should not be made a priority signing for Vieira given his lack of impact on the Spurs team.

If the club wants to progress into consistent top half finishes in the Premier League they should be looking for more effective players who could become available in the summer.

In other news: Parish must finally axe “valuable” £80k-p/w CPFC dud, he doesn’t fit Vieira’s vision

Jack Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Tottenham Hotspur are now eyeing four major signings this summer.

The Lowdown: Champions League uncertainty

Spurs are not guaranteed to finish in the UEFA Champions League places this season, given that they are currently three points behind fourth-placed Arsenal, who have a game in hand on their North London rivals.

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It would be more difficult to attract the calibre of player that they would want should they miss out, and they could also potentially lose some of their best players, with the likes of Harry Kane now being linked to big-spenders Newcastle United.

The Latest: Four signings eyed

Writing in his latest piece for The Athletic, Lilywhites journalist Pitt-Brooke has revealed that Antonio Conte’s team are now looking to make four major signings in the summer.

They reportedly want to bring in a new left-sided central defender, two wing-backs, and a back-up to Kane.

The Verdict: Exciting

It is certainly exciting for THFC fans that they seem to be looking to go on a spending spree this summer.

The likes of Omar Marmoush and Lautaro Martinez have been linked as striker options, while Ben Davies could become more of a squad member next season, meaning that a more natural centre-back will likely take his position on the left of a three-man defence.

Djed Spence has been strongly linked with filling in the right wing-back position at Tottenham, while at left wing-back, Sergio Reguilon has not always been in favour under Conte.

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Nonetheless, it could be a new-look Spurs side built in Conte’s image by the end of the summer transfer window, which should surely excite the Lilywhites faithful.

In other news, find out who THFC have now held talks over signing here!

Leeds United’s transfer spending last summer went somewhat under the radar, particularly compare with fellow promoted side Sunderland.

Sunderland’s £162m total very much ended up trumping Leeds’ £98m, with the Black Cats now sitting pretty in the Premier League pile in eighth spot off the back of such a lavish summer.

Daniel Farke’s men will still feel largely pleased with their own activity, though, as the German arguably now has Leeds’ best bargain since Pablo Hernandez at his disposal, as he tries to guide the Whites away from relegation danger.

This is some statement to make, considering Hernandez was purchased for nothing after an initial loan stint, which ultimately led to him becoming a promotion hero in West Yorkshire.

Why Hernandez was a great bargain for Leeds

The Spanish attacking midfielder might well have eventually become synonymous with Marcelo Bielsa’s whirlwind reign at the club, but he was first purchased when Garry Monk still occupied the Elland Road helm.

His first season, on loan from Al Arabi, saw the former number 19 pick up six goals and eight assists as Leeds narrowly missed out on the second-tier playoffs. This would trigger a permanent move on a free transfer, and would ultimately lead to a match made in heaven with Bielsa, come the start of the 2018/19 season.

Across his two seasons in the EFL’s elite division under the iconic ex-Leeds boss, the former-Valencia playmaker would turn into a “silent leader” – as Bielsa once affectionately labelled him – with a jaw-dropping 42 goal contributions mustered up in league action alone.

18 of those would seal Leeds’ triumphant promotion at the close of the 2019/20 campaign, with this unfortunately proving to be the one-time free agent’s peak at Elland Road, as he would only ever amass two assists in the Premier League for his beloved side.

Still, in the words of journalist Phil Hay in 2021, Hernandez is considered “the best signing of the last 20 years” from a Leeds persuasion, and it’s hard to disagree, in an age where money is thrown about recklessly on some notable flops.

That said, at long last, there is a player in Farke’s current ranks who could be deemed the best bargain since the Spaniard’s memorable stay.

Leeds' best bargain since Hernandez

Leeds were fortunate to be in the right place at the right time to snap up Hernandez, with 167 career games in La Liga under his belt, before moving to England, showing off a star with some clear pedigree next to his name.

Dominic Calvert-Lewin, entering the ranks in the summer on a free transfer, had this same energy attached, with the Sheffield-born centre-forward once valued at the £60m range when powering home goals frequently for Everton. Pundit Tony Cascarino once even labelled the injury-prone striker as being “unplayable” on his day. Safe to say he looks a little bit like that now in Leeds colours.

Before joining up with Farke’s camp, the 6-foot-2 striker had a respectable 57 Premier League strikes to shout about, but with his last few seasons with the Toffees seeing plenty of injury issues come to the surface, and only three league goals coming his way all across last campaign, the plug was pulled on his Goodison Park adventure.

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Everton’s loss is now, very clearly, Leeds’ gain, with the 11-time England international already being showered with the same levels of praise Hernandez regularly received in West Yorkshire, as his new manager now even boldly labels him as one of “the league’s best” attackers on his day, which makes the decision to bring in him for nothing look even more like an absurd masterstroke.

DCL’s numbers for Leeds

Stat

DCL

Games played

15

Goals

5

Assists

0

Wage

£100k-per-week

Wage costs over the year

£5.2m

Sourced by Transfermarkt/Capology

Calvert-Lewin is already five goals down wearing Leeds white with the lofty attacker proving to be a vital fox-in-the-box presence for Farke and Co, having now scored across four consecutive league appearances as the Premier League newcomers have picked up one win and two draws.

This red-hot form makes his wage costs of £5.2m over a full year feel like a splurge worth making, with his goalscoring form potentially keeping Leeds up at the first time of asking, undoubtedly making him the best bargain signed off on since Hernandez’s promotion-winning exploits.

Farke will just hope he can remain fit for the rest of the season to come, as he has already become a crucial first-team presence, when he was once viewed as a gamble to bring in.

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