Manchester United will be on the market for a top-class central midfielder to replace Casemiro, who leaves in the summer, but experience has shown the challenges they will face.
Antoine Semenyo joined Manchester City in December following negotiations with United (Image: Molly Darlington/Getty Images)
Manchester United are preparing for a huge summer transfer window, knowing they will face significant hurdles when it comes to signing their top targets. A return to the Champions League would bring new traction, but the experience of trying to sign Antoine Semenyo in January showed that getting a deal over the line would be difficult.
Semenyo joined Manchester City from Bournemouth in January in a deal worth £62.5 million. However, there was plenty of competition for the winger in December, with United, Liverpool and Tottenham vying for his signature.
United spent more than £200m in the summer bringing in Benjamin Sesco, Matheus Cunha, Brian Mbeumo and Senne Lamence, and held talks with Semenyo’s agent in December. However, he ultimately opted to join Josep Guardiola’s side and has flourished ever since, contributing eight goals and three assists in 18 games for City.
According to a report by ESPN, United went so far as to discuss wages with Semenyo’s agent before their chances of signing him faded. Once City came in, it became clear that United could not compete on wages.
Follow Man United’s FB page! Keep up with the latest United news and more on our dedicated Facebook page
read more: Arsenal, Manchester United targeted in Louis Skelly transfer raid after joining Artetaread more: Man Utd, Arsenal and Newcastle announce Sandro Tonali transfer terms as Newcastle take stand
United sit third in the Premier League with 23 points from a chance of 30 points since Michael Carrick took over in January, and are seen as very likely to qualify for next season’s Champions League. This would provide a significant financial boost and allow United to compete with their rivals on the wages of new players.
The club’s brain trust, led by owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, director of football Jason Wilcox and chief executive Omar Berada, has prioritized signing top-class midfielders this summer, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson, Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, Brighton’s Carlos Baleva, West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes and Wolves’ Joao Gomez.
They hope to fund the deal by selling key pieces of the jigsaw, with Marcus Rashford going to Barcelona for £26m and Rasmus Hejlund going to Napoli for £38m. Meanwhile, suitors have emerged for Joshua Zirkzee and Altai Bajndil, while Andre Onana is also on the transfer list.
Manchester United paid a ‘United Tax’ when they signed Brian Mbeumo (Image: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
World Cup Legends: The stars of soccer’s biggest tournament in history – buy the special edition now
However, the club are reportedly aware that the so-called ‘United Tax’ will apply to transfer deals, so they will need every penny they can get for fringe players. Semenyo’s transfer fee was fixed in the form of a release clause, but United’s deal with Brentford for Mbeumo last summer demonstrated this problem.
Negotiations led by Berrada dragged on as Brentford fought hard to get the best possible pay. Estimated at £55m in January 2025, United were disappointed to learn in the summer that the Bees were asking for £70m plus £7m in add-ons.
Such negotiation tactics are common, and United would need market acumen to sign an elite midfielder, as well as strengthening in other areas. The team needs a left winger, but could also consider another left-back, a central midfielder and, if Bindil and Onana leave, a goalkeeper.
Join our new MAN UTD WhatsApp community and receive your daily Manchester United content from Mirror Football. Community members also receive special offers, promotions, and advertisements from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check it out whenever you like. If you are interested, please read our privacy notice.
World Cup Legends – Special Edition now on sale
Nothing creates legends like the World Cup. This new special edition publication celebrates the heroes of Earth’s greatest sporting event.
Buy now here or from participating supermarkets, high street retailers and independent newsagents from Wednesday 25 March 2026. Online orders will be shipped starting Wednesday, March 25th, with shipping and packaging charges applicable.
