Manchester United’s pursuit of Rafael Leão remains in play after Fenerbahçe moved to reject reports of a major bid from Istanbul.

The Turkish club issued a firm statement on Saturday, also dismissing suggestions that it had tried to sign Ermedin Demirović from VfB Stuttgart. On Leão, the message was unambiguous: “Claims that we made an offer of approximately 100 million euros for Rafael Leão, including transfer fee and salary, are also untrue. No such offer has been made to the player or his club.”

That matters for United, who are looking for a left winger this summer. The squad does not currently have a specialist in that role, and while Marcus Rashford is expected to return for preseason training next month, the reported preference for all sides remains a move away before September.

United have already explored other options, including Crysencio Summerville, though he has now gone to Saudi Arabia for far more money than was initially expected. Yan Diomande and Bradley Barcola are among the names under discussion too, but both could prove expensive, with nine-figure price tags mentioned. There is also still work to do in central midfield, and potentially at left back and up front if the budget allows.

Leão is a different sort of target. He is into the final two years of his contract with Milan, and his price has been reported at up to €70 million ($80 million). At 27, he has delivered goals and assists consistently in Serie A across the last seven seasons.

His best return came in 2022-23, when he recorded 31 goals and 46 assists across Serie A and Champions League appearances. A new challenge could yet draw more from him, especially after he has already made clear his wish to move on this summer. It is not an active desire to leave San Siro, but rather an openness to seeing what else may be available.

Manchester United have already moved in the transfer window, announcing Tielemans, Santos and Karl Darlow this week, but the squad is not yet complete with seven weeks to go. The club can consider itself largely settled in goal after Darlow’s arrival. He will deputize for Senne Lammens while veteran third choice Tom Heaton remains after re-signing. Heaton’s contribution extends beyond matchday duties and is important behind the scenes and on the training pitch.

André Onana is on loan at Trabzonspor for a second season, a situation that all but determines Altay Bayındır’s fate. A return to Türkiye for the promise of a starting job is the most plausible outcome for Bayındır.

The primary areas still to address are left back and left wing, with even a backup striker worth considering to ease the burden of competing in four competitions. Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo offer a similar midfield profile: intelligent passing players who do not rely on speed or aggressive tackling. Santos is slightly more defensively minded but is not a direct replacement for the role Casemiro occupied. The Brazilian is more likely to screen than to actively hunt the ball.

That profile takes players such as Adam Wharton off the table for now. United still need a midfielder who can disrupt opponents and win possession. Atalanta’s Éderson was considered for that role and it remains unclear whether interest is definitively closed.

Options discussed include Carlos Baleba, a Premier League-proven option whose 2025–26 season disappointed relative to 2024–25 and who was linked previously with a high valuation from Brighton & Hove Albion. Manu Koné is an alternative; despite a World Cup that raised his profile he is expected to be significantly cheaper, with a fee reported in the Italian press of £51 million for the Roma and France player.

Left back succession is also urgent. Luke Shaw started all 38 Premier League matches last season after limited appearances previously, but at 31 with a history of injuries he needs cover and a long-term replacement. Candidates mentioned in recent reporting include Lewis Hall, Antonee Robinson and Alejandro Balde, each with differing costs, injury histories and suitability for short- and long-term plans.

United enter preseason with clear gains but remaining positional questions to resolve before the window closes.

Youri Tielemans has completed a long-term, five-year move to Manchester United after a transfer that was expedited by a reported £35 million release clause, which “removed Villa entirely from negotiations.” The speed of the transaction suggested talks with the 29-year-old midfielder were not arduous.

“It’s hard to describe just how proud I am to join Manchester United ,” Tielemans said after signing. “Signing for such a special club feels incredible, it is the culmination of years of dedication since I first fell in love with football.

“I have had the privilege of experiencing success in the game and it has only increased my determination to achieve more. The ambition from everyone at the club is extremely clear; we are all determined to push for the biggest trophies over the coming years.”

Manchester United’s director of football, Jason Wilcox, underlined the club’s intent: “We are delighted to welcome a player of his influence and experience, both on the pitch and within the dressing room, as we continue to build a team ready to challenge for the biggest honors.” The signing is presented as part of a clear push for silverware.

The context for that ambition is rooted in last season’s run under Michael Carrick. Carrick took charge of Manchester United’s final 17 Premier League games last term, almost half a season. Across those five months, the Red Devils defeated Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, while racking up 39 points, more than any other team in the division over that same time span.

But the path ahead will be more congested. United and Carrick operated in a diminished schedule last term after early domestic cup exits and without European football, which allowed regular starters to avoid heavy rotation. Next season will include at least eight more Champions League games, and Casemiro, whose presence eased selection decisions, is no longer at the club. Tielemans is being viewed as a replacement for the ageing Brazilian but represents a different profile. While industrious off the ball for Villa, his dexterity is the best part of his game. As United noted on announcement: “Amongst attackers and midfielders, Tielemans broke the most defensive lines per 100 passes in the Premier League as well as making the second most line-breaking passes under pressure.”