Transfer Rumors: Man Utd Target Real Madrid Star; Premier League Trio Eyes Pulisic

Manchester United are ready to test Real Madrid’s resolve with a €40 million (£34.8 million, $47.3 million) bid for Brazilian centre-back Éder Militão, according to Spanish outlet Fichajes. Sources close to Old Trafford say INEOS, the club’s new football operation overseers, view the 26-year-old as the commanding defensive presence required to stabilise Erik ten Hag’s back line next season. Militão, who has made over 150 appearances for Madrid since 2019, is under contract until 2028, but United hope the lure of Premier League football and a guaranteed starting role will accelerate negotiations.

Parallel to the pursuit of Militão, United have joined a queue of English clubs monitoring AC Milan winger Christian Pulisic. Arsenal, Tottenham Hotspur and the Red Devils are all tracking the United States international, who could be sacrificed as Milan look to refresh their squad, Calciomercato reports. The Serie A giants are expected to demand €55 million (£47.8 million, $65.1 million) for the 25-year-old, a valuation that reflects Pulisic’s 12 goals and 8 assists in 36 appearances across all competitions this term. Any deal would represent a sizeable profit on the €20 million Milan paid Chelsea last summer.

United’s interest in Pulisic is complicated by their determination to land Chelsea prodigy Cole Palmer. Despite assistant manager Liam Rosenior labelling links to Palmer “unrealistic”, TEAMtalk understands INEOS have placed the 21-year-old at the top of their summer shortlist and are prepared to battle Premier League rivals for his signature. Palmer’s eight-goal burst in his last ten matches has elevated his market worth well beyond the £45 million Chelsea paid Manchester City last July.

Elsewhere, Liverpool are bracing for a Saudi Pro League swoop on Mohamed Salah after Al Nassr accelerated plans to replace Cristiano Ronaldo. The Mirror claims league officials are ready to make the Egyptian the competition’s marquee attraction, though Liverpool have shown no willingness to sell their talisman, whose Anfield deal runs until 2025.

In Manchester, City chiefs remain confident Pep Guardiola will honour his contract through 2027 and have already compiled a three-man wish list to convince him to stay: Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, Brentford right-back Michael Kayode and Feyenoord winger Givairo Read. Newcastle United, however, are poised to rival City for Anderson’s signature if Sandro Tonali departs St James’ Park.

Tottenham look set to end Randal Kolo Muani’s loan spell without triggering a permanent deal, with the France forward expected to return to parent club Juventus. Bournemouth, meanwhile, have secured Álex Jiménez on a permanent basis after the 20-year-old triggered a clause in his loan from Milan, signing a contract until June 2031.

Real Madrid could sanction the sale of Brahim Díaz for €40 million, with Bournemouth emerging as surprise contenders after losing Antoine Semenyo to injury. Bayern Munich’s Dayot Upamecano is set to reject Madrid’s advances by extending his stay in Bavaria, while Barcelona have identified 17-year-old PSG academy defender Emmanuel Mbemba as a long-term project.

Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson has not ruled out a future move to boyhood club Celtic once his current deal expires, and the Reds have already lined up the return of centre-half Jarell Quansah from Bayer Leverkusen to reinforce a depleted defensive corps.

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