Michael Carrick’s early impact has refocused Manchester United’s summer planning, and central midfield is a priority. United have collected 22 points from a possible 27 since Carrick took over from the sacked Ruben Amorim, yet Casemiro’s announced departure in the summer will leave a large gap to fill. The five-time Champions League winner has chosen to exit Old Trafford on his terms.

Linked names around Old Trafford include Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, but increasing attention has fallen on Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali. The 25-year-old’s creativity, passing range and stamina are repeatedly cited, with his standout quality being the ability to perform those functions from a deep-lying playmaker role. Newcastle benefited from Tonali last term, reaching the Champions League round of 16 after a fifth-placed finish.

The i Paper report that Tonali has “rocketed” up United’s wishlist in recent weeks, a development fuelled in part by public signals from the player’s agent. Giuseppe Riso said: “If he shines at the World Cup, will City or Arsenal be hot on his heels? I don’t know … but it’s very likely. Everyone is waiting for the World Cup; then a thousand scenarios will unfold, but it all kicks off after the World Cup.” Riso named Arsenal and Manchester City in his comments.

Transfer context is congested. Anderson is reportedly on Manchester City’s radar and said to prefer the Etihad, while Adam Wharton is wanted by Liverpool. Brighton have maintained a £100 million ($133 million) valuation for Carlos Baleba, a price United were not prepared to meet last summer. Tonali would likely cost comparable sums, and Newcastle are unlikely to be forced into a sale at a reduced fee. He has more than three years remaining on his contract and Newcastle did not include a release clause when signing him from AC Milan.

United’s midfield blueprint must account for Bruno Fernandes’ attacking influence and Kobbie Mainoo’s potential, while replacing Casemiro’s presence. Recruitment this summer will be shaped by those realities and the scenarios Riso outlined, especially once the World Cup concludes. Italy, incidentally, are yet to qualify and must come through unscathed from the UEFA playoffs against Northern Ireland and one of Wales and Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Manchester United have moved to convince Casemiro to stay at Old Trafford beyond the summer with the offer of a new contract (Source: TEAMtalk). Across England and the continent a series of reported targets and potential departures suggest an active window.

Manchester City have reportedly ended their interest in Paris Saint-Germain forward Ousmane Dembélé, leaving Chelsea alone in the race for his signature (Source: MediaFoot). Chelsea are also linked with a possible return to action for Mykhailo Mudryk on loan at Strasbourg if he is cleared following a failed doping test (Source: L’Équipe). Enzo Fernández has emerged as Real Madrid’s top transfer target after his exit from Stamford Bridge became a possibility (Source: Fichajes).

Liverpool have been warned they would need to pay over $80 million (£70 million) to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, with Palace hopeful of retaining the England international (Source: Football Insider). Club Brugge striker Nicolò Tresoldi is reported to interest Arsenal, Atlético Madrid and Barcelona (Source: SPORT BILD).

Bayern Munich could be tempted into selling winger Michael Olise, a target for Real Madrid, if a blockbuster offer of $182.9 million (€160 million) arrives (Source: SPORT BILD). Paris Saint-Germain are considered the biggest threat for Olise, with a potential bid of over $137.2 million (€120 million) possible as PSG prepare to part ways with Ousmane Dembélé (Source: El Nacional).

Several Premier League clubs are named in other reports. Aston Villa and Everton will both look to sign Jack Grealish as the winger seeks a permanent exit from Manchester City (Source: Sports Boom). Nathan Aké is linked with AC Milan and Inter after being mentioned among possible departures from Manchester City (Source: CaughtOffside). Juventus are open to offers for Jonathan David, with Nottingham Forest, Tottenham Hotspur and West Ham United alerted to his availability (Source: Tuttosport). Tottenham remain interested in Roma midfielder Niccolò Pisilli and could offer Destiny Udogie in a swap (Source: Asromalive). Newcastle United have reportedly stepped up their pursuit of Palmeiras midfielder Allan, sending a representative to Brazil to open talks (Source: É Gool).

João Cancelo hopes to join Barcelona permanently this summer and is prepared to reduce his salary demands to encourage a move (Source: SPORT).

Michael Carrick suggested Manchester United may not try to find a direct like-for-like successor to Casemiro this summer, saying the club could take a different approach to the midfield role that has been occupied by the Brazilian.

“Listen, this is totally no disrespect to Case, he’s been fantastic, he’s been a player for us and he’s been important in the dressing room and one that I’ve spoke to and connected with really well,” Carrick said. “But as a club and as a team, players come and go, some are bigger, some are maybe more important than others at different times.

“I don’t think it’s ever really about replacing like for like,” he continued. “I think you can go in a different direction, you understand what the balance of the squad needs, whether that’s on the pitch, off the pitch, leadership, positionally—there’s all sorts of different things going into it.”

At his best, Casemiro combines physicality and technical control, contributing defensively while also offering a threat in attack. His tally of seven Premier League goals this season is more than Amad Diallo, Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount have been able to muster between themselves. The piece also notes a vulnerability: an ageing Casemiro can see his positional discipline dip, particularly when fixtures arrive without a clear week of rest.

Finding a player with that blend of attributes would be challenging and expensive, Carrick implied, which is one reason the club might consider a different profile rather than a straight replacement.

Carrick is serving as interim manager and his reign is expected to conclude before the summer transfer window fully opens. He has worked under the assumption his remit remains limited to the current season and transfer discussion under his watch has been minimal.

On Bruno Fernandes, the background remains complex. Back in December, Fernandes revealed that it took the intervention of then-manager Ruben Amorim to prevent his Manchester United exit in the summer of 2025. There were concrete talks over a move to the Saudi Pro League, and his contract reportedly contains a release clause of an undisclosed value.