Man United transfer news recap - Viktor Gyokeres message amid 'contact' claim and Onana update

That's all for today

Thank you for following today's Manchester United transfer live blog with huge news on Rayan Cherkhi, Xavi Simons and Viktor Gyokeres covered...

We will be back over the coming days to deliver more of the latest updates and rumours!

Lineker issues McTominay transfer verdict

Gary Lineker believes Manchester United made a grave error by offloading Scott McTominay, though he acknowledges that Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) left them with little choice.

The Scottish midfielder, sold to Napoli for £25million last summer, has been a revelation in Italy, notching eight Serie A goals and earning multiple man-of-the-match awards.

Speaking on The Rest Is Football podcast, Lineker said McTominay would have been perfect in Ruben Amorim's system, and slammed what he described as "nonsensical" regulations that effectively forced United to sell him.

Click here to read what he had to say

Jonathan David transfer claim

Manchester United have stepped up talks with the agent of Jonathan David, according to TBR Football.

The Canada international will become a free agent this summer when his Lille contract expires. If United are in the race for his signature, they will face a huge battle with Tottenham, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle United also interested.

David has spoken about his future on numerous occasions with a move to the Premier League seeming his priority.

Kaua Santos transfer twist

Kaua Santos links to Manchester United look set to dry up after it was confirmed the Eintracht Frankfurt had suffered a serious knee injury.

With Andre Onana's future unclear after a turbulent few months, United look set to try and sign a new shot-stopper. Amorim recently confirmed as such in his admission that they will look at upgrading the whole squad.

Alternatives to Kaua will be drawn up now however as he has suffered an ACL tear which will keep him out for the remainder of 2025.

Delap transfer update

Italian giants Juventus have joined the long list of clubs interested in signing Ipswich Town's star striker Liam Delap.

The 22-year-old forward has been high on Manchester United's transfer list as Ruben Amorim looks keen to sign a proven top-tier forward. The club's interest has been made clear following a poor season up front, having scored the sixth-fewest goals across all clubs this season.

With the Serie A side now seemingly in the race for his signature, a huge set of transfer dominos could fall into place.

Click here to read the full story

Xavi Simons 'contact' update

Manchester United are still firmly in the race for RB Leipzig star Xavi Simons.

The Dutchmen has completed several moves over the last few years with PSV, Paris Saint-Germain and Leipzig all taking on his services.

And yet just 12 months on from his latest switch, he is being linked with an exit and Old Trafford is seemingly an option.

According to Mail Sport, contact between the club and Simons has been maintained with a summer move being considered by United.

Happy birthday Kobbie Mainoo!

The midfielder turns 20 today and what a week it has been to celebrate this milestone.

Seen as though it is his special day, it would be rude not to look back on THAT strike against Lyon on Thursday night.

United reject Antony offer

According to The Mirror this week, United have chosen to reject an offer from Real Betis to extend Antony's stay at the club into next season.

It is believed the Seville club want to sign Antony on loan again for the 2025/26 season but the Reds have rejected this offer.

Instead, MEN Sport understands United want to sell Antony permanently to help fund Amorim's rebuild attempts this summer.

Antony's opinion on Ten Hag as he nears United exit

Speaking in an interview with ESPN, Antony has insisted that he holds no ill-will to his former manager Ten Hag despite him dropping him out of his plans towards the end of his tenure at Old Trafford.

Erik ten Hag is a coach I'm very grateful to. He helped me a lot in the Netherlands, and in England too, even though the opportunities didn't come the way I wanted to. But that's the coach's choice, I don't hold any grudges or anything. On the contrary, I'm very grateful for everything he's done with me, for all the conversations too. He's a coach who will certainly be in this story because he helped me a lot.

Costa's form for Porto this season

The 25-year-old is a key player for Porto and has established himself in the Portuguese national team squad.

He currently wears the armband for his domestic club and this season has made 30 appearances in the league, conceding just 26 goals and keeping 15 clean sheets.

Costa is good at distribution too which will be valued by Amorim but unless his price tag falls, United could be priced out.

United eyeing Onana replacement

According to The Mirror, United are big admirers of Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa.

It is understood the shot stopper, who could be available for £63m, is on United's radar as a replacement for Onana in the future.

Unfortunately for the Reds, Manchester City are also thought to be keen on him - particularly after Ederson picked up another injury against Crystal Palace.

As such, it is thought that United are not in a position to pay Costa's release clause or challenge their rivals for him.

How much would Cherki cost United?

With Lyon suffering financial concerns heading into next season, it is now likely they will have to sell a number of stars to avoid demotion to Ligue 2.

That means United could be able to bag a bargain for Cherki as Lyon try to keep their heads above water.

It is understood that as little as £25m would be enough to sign the 21-year-old which would probably be a no-brainer for the Reds considering his performances this season.

Cherki has scored 12 goals and bagged 18 assists for Lyon this season despite them struggling in Ligue 1.

Scholes backs Cherki to be scouted by United

Before he played a part in a brilliant Lyon performance, and their subsequent collapse, Rayan Cherki was receiving high praise from Paul Scholes who insisted United would be looking at him if he continued playing to a high standard.

The United legend told TNT Sports:

He should be [relishing this occasion], he's in the shop window. I know Lyon, as we spoke about in the last part, have got some financial issues so he will be one player they can make a few quid on. This is a big night for him. If he performs, Manchester United I'm sure they'll be having a good look at him tonight but there will be many other clubs in England having a good look at him.

Why Barcelona dropped out of the race for Williams

According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona have reportedly dropped out of the race to sign Williams this summer.

For a long time, Barca were seen as huge admirers of the 22-year-old and had seemed desperate to sign him last summer before financial concerns took hold.

However, it is now thought that the priority for the Catalan club is to sign a defender and midfielder in the summer with Williams seen as a luxury which Barcelona do not need to prioritise.

Williams to United links

Back in February, reports suggested that United may be looking at Williams as a potential replacement for Rashford if he decided to leave the club permanently in the summer.

It is thought that as little as £49m could be enough for the Reds to snap up Williams with that figure reportedly set as the winger's release clause.

However, the Reds are seen as outsiders with Arsenal and Chelsea both being heavily linked with the forward.

Williams makes United admission

Ahead of facing the Reds in the Europa League semi-finals, Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams as admitted that every child dreams of playing at Old Trafford at some stage in their careers.

He told Marca:

Every kid wants to play at Old Trafford. We'll try to put our best foot forward in the first leg at San Mamés to go there with determination and show what Athletic Bilbao is all about. This tie will have no favorite. Manchester United is at the bottom of the league, but they made it clear against Olympique Lyonnais what they're capable of with the way they handled the match.

How much Gyokeres would cost United

Gyokeres is well known to have an £85m release clause inserted into his contract at Sporting, however it is thought that he could leave for less than this figure thanks to an agreement in place between the club and the player.

It is understood that Sporting could let him leave for as little as £55m as a thank you for his hard work in Lisbon since arriving from Coventry City.

The 26-year-old has scored a whopping 90 goals in 96 appearances for the Lisbon club.

Gyokeres asked London question

Amid links to Arsenal, Gyokeres was cheekily asked for his opinion on London.

Quizzed on whether he liked the city, the Swede replied:

I like Lisbon.

United not alone in Gyokeres interest

The Reds have been keeping a close eye on Gyokeres since Amorim arrived but Arsenal have been credited with interest in the striker for longer.

Gyokeres and Isak were shortlisted as players with the right profile for the Gunners last summer but a move was not made then.

However, Arsenal's lack of a centre-forward has arguably cost them in the race for the Premier League title and it is thought they will look to bid for Gyokeres this summer.

What Amorim said about Gyokeres

Speaking in November shortly before his move to United, Amorim hinted that he could attempt to bring Gyokeres to Old Trafford in the summer but refused to poach one of his old players midway through the season.

I can’t make fun of it, right now, it was hard for me to leave, if I start joking about this Gyokeres situation I’ll get in trouble. This is my city, this is my country, so I’ll respect it. Viktor has to stay until the end of the season, and then his life maybe is going somewhere else.

What Gyokeres said about his future

Speaking after an impressive hat-trick in Portugal, Gyokeres was coy about his future when speaking to Sport TV.

My future? No one can predict what will happen, we enjoy the moment. Agreement with Sporting to lower €100m (£85m) release clause? Can’t say anything about that.

Good morning

Hello and welcome back to the United transfer blog on Easter Saturday.

We are just one day away from the Reds returning to Premier League action when they face Wolves at Old Trafford.

However, the transfer rumour mill keeps churning and we will be keeping you posted with all the latest news on United's potential summer business right here.

Goodnight

That's all from us.

Thanks for follow all of our United transfer talk today. Be sure to return in the morning for more of the same.

United eye Semenyo as Bournemouth name price

Manchester United are reportedly the front-runners to sign Bournemouth forward Antoine Semenyo this summer.

Sky Sports claim that Ruben Amorim is a big fan of the Englishman, though United could face competition from several other Premier League clubs.

It is claimed that the Cherries value the forward at roughly £70m.

Antony opens up on struggles

Antony has opened up about the personal problems he faced at Manchester United that stopped him from performing at his best.

The Brazilian is shining in Spain with Real Betis after a miserable time at United. "I think that, apart from my football life, my personal life got in the way a lot, because of the things I went through, the moments I lived there." Antony told ESPN Brasil when reflecting on his time at United.

"Like it or not, it's affected me a lot. So, of course, I know the potential I have. It's not for nothing that I went to a World Cup, it's not for nothing that I was sold to United for a lot of money, and I know my worth.

"People look at the moment, but they don't look at the bigger picture, what happens to bring things about. So, as I said, my feeling at United was that I had good moments, bad moments too, but of course I could have done more, I could have done better."

Youngsters impress

The United academy has been something of interest for supporters in recent weeks and the Under-18s showed what they can do against Derby County on Saturday.

After going 2-0 down, United raced into a 3-2 lead thanks to goals from Bendito Mantato, James Scanlon and Shea Lacey. Derby levelled in the final 10 minutes before Victor Musa scored a late winner.

Amorim name checks Cunha

Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has dubbed Wolves playmaker Matheus Cunha "real quality" ahead of his likely departure in the summer.

Wolves boss Vitor Pereira was in the Old Trafford directors' box for United's uproarious 5-4 Europa League victory over Lyon three days before Wolves visit the stadium. "He's changing some players, he has real quality players - Cunha and all these guys, they have real quality. They are fresh."

When pressed on Cunha and possible interest from United, Amorim replied: "I just gave the example because I remembered about Matheus. He's scoring a lot of goals. Just that."

Bilbao fixture boost

Manchester United's Europa League semi-final opponents Athletic Bilbao will have an advantage over Ruben Amorim's men when the two sides meet at the start of May.

United host Wolves on Sunday before travelling to AFC Bournemouth on Sunday, April 27. They will travel to the San Mames Stadium four days later with a trip to London to take on Brentford inbetween the two legs.

However, Bilbao's fixture list is much kinder with Ernesto Valverde's men having more time. The Red and Whites take on Real Madrid this weekend before returning to La Liga action on Wednesday, April 23 against Las Palmas - their last game before United come to town.

It means Bilbao will have eight days rest between the first leg, double what United have

Guardiola's United jibe

Pep Guardiola has aimed a subtle dig at Manchester United in his pre-Everton press conference when speaking about his side's season.

“Hopefully next season, we can be there, deal with the big clubs in Europe.

“We can challenge them better than we have done this season but what we have done in the latest seven years we were there. Even when we were out, we compete really well.

"I don't think it's a bad thing to fight to qualify for the Champions League. We could be in a much lower position in the Premier League if you had done fewer good things than we have done in these four, five months.

“People say we are fourth now but I say yeah we could be 11th or 12th or 13th or 14th. I don’t have any doubts about that. So I take it like ‘okay, it has not been good but it’s in our hands’

“Of course, Goodison Park and Villa is massively important because it’s just six games and we don't have much time. I know our qualification path for Etihad. We know the games we have here and one or two games away. We have the first opportunity tomorrow in Liverpool.”

Tyler Dibling 'chase'

ESPN report Man United will step up their pursuit for the Southampton youngster Dibling, on one condition - if they win the Europa League.

The 19-year-old has emerged as one of the most sought-after youngsters in the top-flight. However, Saints will demand £100m to part ways with him.

Should United win the Europa League, they will secure Champions League qualification, which is reportedly worth at least £80m.