Manchester United Summer Transfer Sheet: Exequiel Palacios Remains Under Consideration & More | OneFootball

We understand Manchester United remain interested in Exequiel Palacios from Bayer Leverkusen as they continue their search for a new midfielder before the deadline closes on September 1st. The Argentine midfielder has been admired by the club for some time now, and although interest was thought to have ceased, their admiration for the Leverkusen man still remains.

A deal is difficult due to the German club’s desire to keep hold of the player and have him play in the Champions League next season. United are currently in talks with Manuel Ugarte from PSG as their priority target, but players like Palacios, Sander Berge and Youssouf Fofana are also of interest.

BERLIN, GERMANY – MAY 25: Exequiel Palacios of Bayer 04 Leverkusen celebrates with the DFB-Pokal Trophy after his team’s victory in the DFB Cup 2023/24 final match between 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Olympiastadion on May 25, 2024 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images)

Manchester United Admire Palacios:

Fofana is a difficult target, as he has his heart firmly set on a move to AC Milan, but with the Italian club failing to agree a fee with Monaco thus far, the door remains open for a switch to United. Sander Berge was confirmed as a concrete target earlier on this month, as first called by Duncan Castles. Burnley are holding out for £30m for the Norwegian, but the Reds would prefer to pay a lower fee if possible.

Any deal for Ugarte or Palacios would be contingent on United selling players. Scott McTominay remains a target for Fulham and that deal could still go ahead despite the side from Craven Cottage already having two bids rejected. It’s thought Erik ten Hag’s side would be open to parting ways for around £25m. Everton and Napoli have also registered their feelings for McTominay in recent days, and there is a chance he leaves the club before the deadline.

Palacios signed for Bayer in 2020 from River Plate for a fee of around €17m, and was a key part in their Bundesliga title winning campaign last season. Palacios would go for at least double that fee if he was to leave the club this summer, with the Argentine international reportedly expected to cost around £51m. This is a similar fee to what United are currently trying to negotiate PSG down from for Manuel Ugarte.

The midfielder is a difficult deal for the Red’s to do this summer, but they do remain interested in his services. Leverkusen are in the driver seat when it comes to any potential negotiations, with Palacios having a contract at the club until June 2028.

Manuel Ugarte has been left out of team training matches at PSG in recent days, but United are refusing to pander to the current asking price being levelled at them by the French club. There is currently a standoff between the two clubs, but United are confident PSG may lower their price before the end of the window. If they don’t, there are contingency plans in midfield. Ugarte also has interest from other clubs in Europe. Liverpool have always admired the player, and could return to the negotiating table after missing out on Martin Zubimendi last night.

Elsewhere, if the club are to strengthen anywhere else, it will be at left-back. Bradley Locko is a player of interest, with contacts taking place this summer for the player, who’d be keen on a move to the Premier League. Marcos Alonso has also been mentioned, with Erik ten Hag preferring to have a left-sided defender who can play in both the left-back and left-centre-back positions.

Victor Lindelof’s departure from the club remains difficult, despite growing interest from Turkey. The Swedish defender has a significant wage at United, which means he would have to take a significant pay cut to join another club. The Red’s may have to subsidise this themselves by paying money towards Lindelof leaving. Hannibal Mejbri is also anticipated to leave the club, as is Facundo Pellistri, who played right-back in the Community Shield against Manchester City.

Antony is not expected to leave the club before the deadline. Nor is Casemiro, as interest in both players has been few and far between. Jadon Sancho could leave, with interest from PSG, but a deal is unlikely at this moment in time.

Manchester United have always remained vigilant on the situation of Youssouf Fofana. The French midfielder prefers to join AC Milan, but the Italian clubs lack of movement has perked the interest of United again. Fofana would be open to joining United, with the player viewing the club as legendary. His preference is Milan, as he wants to play Champions League football, but with one year left on his deal, Monaco would be willing to sell to the largest suitor. Milan are working on an agreement but have yet to get there yet. The French club would sell for around £25 million.

United had contact with Ousmane Diomande this summer. The player remains on the shortlist at the club, despite the fact they never moved into formal negotiations for him. Diomande is currently expected to remain at Sporting CP for the remainder of the campaign, barring any late interest elsewhere, but should United fail to sign Jarrad Branthwaite next summer, it could be something the club returns to.