What + who are our top summer 2026 targets?

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Right wing is the last position in the squad that needs strengthening given we already have Mbuemo, Amad and Lacey.

Harry Wilson wouldn't be a needle mover even if the position wasn't already well stocked though. He's a midtable player having the best purple patch of his career at 28 years old.

Thought it was fairly obvious that I don’t think he’s moving the needle!

 

[IrwinwasbetterthanCarlos]

Thought it was fairly obvious that I don’t think he’s moving the needle!

Would he be producing this kind of form if he was starting every few weeks or coming on for 15-20 minutes here and there? I’d guess not. Good midtable player, nothing more.

 

[El Jefe]

Pace and athleticism in defence and midfield is extremely important.

Having a fast and strong CB with great recovery pace is a must and we need bite and aggression in midfield. Once we get that we can push up into a higher block and look to dominate teams more.

I think CB, LB and two CMs are needed. A cheap and experienced striker will be needed if Zirkzee leaves.

Anderson is an obvious option in midfield. Would also love if we could bank on Spurs dysfunction and get Van de Ven.

 

[Davicho]

Sell

Ugarte - 30m
Zirkzee - 25
Rashford - 26m
Onana - 10m
Malacia - 0m
Mount - 20m
Sancho - 0m
Hojlund - 40m
Dalot - 35m

You missed Hojlund and I would also personally add Dalot to the mix IF we can replace him with a promising young RB.

Buy

Backup GK - Nick Pope - 0m
Starting DM - Anderson - 100m (Plan B - Kouadio Kone 50m)
Backup DM - Ruben Neves - 0m
Starting/Backup CM to compete with Mainoo - Mateus Fernandes or Alex Scott - 60m (Plan B - De Cat / Bouaddi 30m/50m)
Backup LW - Mateus Mane - 40m
Backup CF - Welbeck - 0m
Starting/Backup RB - Kayode 40m (Plan B - Alex Jimenez 35m)


That would leave us with a squad of:

GK
Lammens
Pope
Heaton

RB
Kayode or Jimenez
Mazraoui

CB
De Ligt
Martinez
Yoro
Heaven
Maguire

LB
Shaw
Dorgu
Leon (I'd prioritise giving Amass more time on loan with a view of him replacing Shaw in 2027/28)

CM
Anderson
Neves
Mainoo
Fernandes or Scott
+Youth

AM/LW/RW
Bruno
Cunha
Amad
Mbuemo
Mane
Lacey

ST
Sesko
Welbeck

Nice options. If not in one window, in the next two we could do all that tranfers realistically.

 

[IrishRedDevil]

Midfield 1: Baleba
Midfield 2: Anderson
Rightback: Kayode

3 strong athletic machines.

I would also like Diouf from West Ham but not sure we need a left back with Shaw and Dorgu? Unless we move Dorgu permanently to left wing.

 

[davidmichael]

Midfield 1: Baleba
Midfield 2: Anderson
Rightback: Kayode

3 strong athletic machines.

I would also like Diouf from West Ham but not sure we need a left back with Shaw and Dorgu? Unless we move Dorgu permanently to left wing.

I think with Mazraoui and Dalot we don’t need a right back unless Dalot leaves although Kayode would be my choice as well and unless Amass stays next season we need a left back as Shaw is always an injury concern whilst Dorgu is clearly better further forward so Diouf is a good squad option, if West Ham go down then Fernandes may be a better option than Baleba.

 

[Orange Tree]

If Guimares is available on decent fee, say similar to Cunha fee, I'd go for him. We need some experience in that midfield.

After that Anderson or Baleba.

And Kees Smit who can also play the no 10 role.

That would be my midfield overhaul.

 

[lysglimt]

Realistically we could need 3 midfielders - Ugarte isn't good enough, Casemiro is leaving, and Bruno could leave. And I am still convinced there are better players out there than Beleba, Anderson or Wharton

 

[DJ_21]

Realistically we could need 3 midfielders - Ugarte isn't good enough, Casemiro is leaving, and Bruno could leave. And I am still convinced there are better players out there than Beleba, Anderson or Wharton

If Bruno leaves then we need a very creative AM. Ain’t no one out there that will give us his G/A but we could find a creative gem

 

[TRUE NUMBER 9]

CM is the first position to address - Anderson should be the priority target. Failing that, Baleba but for me, no to Wharton. James Garner has played as well as any midfielder in the PL this season, he has really developed into a fine player. However, his recently signed contract and standing with the Everton fanbase and club make a return to Old Trafford rather unlikely.

Some reliable depth at LB is needed as Amass and Leon are probably not going to be ready and relying on Shaw for one game a week is already a bit of a risk. Dorgu is clearly better up the pitch and must be regarded as such and not, as some still say, a LB option. Mazraoui and Dalot are options to fill in for Shaw but they are also the main players for the RB role.

CB is going to come down to whether the club are confident enough to move forward developing Heaven and Yoro alongside Martinez, or if they will entrust de Ligt who, like others in the squad, has injury concerns.

Radek Vítek could well become the reserve keeper and the extended contract and form he has shown at Bristol City and in Austria last season, prove he is certainly worth consideration over Bayindir.

If Zirkzee moves on, which would not be a surprise, then another forward will be required. Will an academy striker step up? Or perhaps a not so expensive reserve striker to provide more depth.

CM is certainly the main issue, with Casemiro leaving it becomes especially so.

 

[Escobar]

Fernandes and Anderson in midfield. If we have money left and Ugarte leaves, I would also add Scott for depth.
LB is a tricky one. No idea who is good and available but we need a world class player there.
Rogers as AM would be very interesting to be Brunos understudy

 

[IrwinwasbetterthanCarlos]

On the midfield front, it’s pretty apparent we’ll need at least two, but I’d have been in favour of keeping Cas for another season or two and letting Ugarte go.

Are there any veteran midfielders going free or cheap that we could sign as the third midfield player? Goretzka is the only one I can think of off the top of my head. I’m thinking of a James Milner type (but obviously not Milner aged 40). A seasoned pro whose experience can be called on when needed and you can chuck the armband to for Burnley at home or in the FA Cup.

Whilst the priority is obviously younger profile players for the first choice, we’re losing a lot of experience and nous with Casemiro leaving. Wouldn’t mind us replacing that.

 

[Ikon]

LB is a tricky one. No idea who is good and available but we need a world class player there.

We are getting strong lings with Van de Ven of Spurs.
Given he is currently playing at Left CB, I'd say his speed and powerful running are being wasted in that role.
Stick him in our LB role, and it could be an absolute revelation.

 

[Escobar]

We are getting strong lings with Van de Ven of Spurs.
Given he is currently playing at Left CB, I'd say his speed and powerful running are being wasted in that role.
Stick him in our LB role, and it could be an absolute revelation.

But would cost a fortune I assume

 

[Bobby_2024]

Are we seeing Dorgu as a complete winger now or we can put him as a backup LB too if needed.
What ever it be we need to buy a top class LB for sure.

LB, 2CM's and a backup forward player would be the top priority. with more than 100M coming in for Rash/Rasmus/Zirkzee/Onana, I think we can build a solid team with few good signings.

 

[bosnian_red]

Realistically we could need 3 midfielders - Ugarte isn't good enough, Casemiro is leaving, and Bruno could leave. And I am still convinced there are better players out there than Beleba, Anderson or Wharton

If we sell Bruno along with Ugarte, then I'd say we need 4 new midfielders. Doubt it though. Even if Ugarte leaves we need 3 (which is why I think he'll stay as 4th choice midfielder). You need depth and we'll have Mainoo and Ugarte as the only 2 deeper midfielders.

 

[Oo0AahCantona]

Experienced Midfielder to replace casimiro, Top up and coming midfielder to add to the mix and likely a third for depth. other than that get a new right back and i think we have a good base to kick on.

 

[croadyman]

Experienced Midfielder to replace casimiro, Top up and coming midfielder to add to the mix and likely a third for depth. other than that get a new right back and i think we have a good base to kick on.

Which experienced midfielder do you have in mind just out of interest, up and comer simply has to be Anderson if not Baleba (not keen though). Depth option would like to see either Stiller or Scott if a reasonable fee. I am definitely warming to the idea of Kayode from Brentford at RB or that Vanderson guy at Monaco.

 

[Oo0AahCantona]

Which experienced midfielder do you have in mind just out of interest, up and comer simply has to be Anderson if not Baleba (not keen though). Depth option would like to see either Stiller or Scott if a reasonable fee. I am definitely warming to the idea of Kayode from Brentford at RB or that Vanderson guy at Monaco.

Yeah the up and comer to slot in has been much debated, it’s going to be one of Baleba, anderson(unlikely) or Wharton.

I would like to see Ugarte moved on as well but that would depend on us getting a solid premier league standard depth option.

The experienced option, I might be going against the grain, but I don’t have a problem with us getting an older head in to hit the ground running, we are going to lose so much when casimiro leaves. I would try and tempt Bruno G from Newcastle opposed to Tonali that’s been rumoured.

 

[croadyman]

Yeah the up and comer to slot in has been much debated, it’s going to be one of Baleba, anderson(unlikely) or Wharton.

I would like to see Ugarte moved on as well but that would depend on us getting a solid premier league standard depth option.

The experienced option, I might be going against the grain, but I don’t have a problem with us getting an older head in to hit the ground running, we are going to lose so much when casimiro leaves. I would try and tempt Bruno G from Newcastle opposed to Tonali that’s been rumoured.

Huge fan of Guimaraes, however convinced Newcastle wouldn't sell to us and INEOS will look at 28 as too old. Tonali on the other hand could be more gettable as he also fits their 25 and under policy.

 

[Zumbi]

I think with Mazraoui and Dalot we don’t need a right back unless Dalot leaves although Kayode would be my choice as well and unless Amass stays next season we need a left back as Shaw is always an injury concern whilst Dorgu is clearly better further forward so Diouf is a good squad option, if West Ham go down then Fernandes may be a better option than Baleba.

Some reliable depth at LB is needed as Amass and Leon are probably not going to be ready and relying on Shaw for one game a week is already a bit of a risk. Dorgu is clearly better up the pitch and must be regarded as such and not, as some still say, a LB option. Mazraoui and Dalot are options to fill in for Shaw but they are also the main players for the RB role.

The jury’s out for me on that one. We haven’t seen Dorgu play at LB for us yet. His time spent playing LWB for Amorim didn’t prove to be a good indicator of how he would do at LW in a different system, and so I don’t think it can or should be used as a helpful gauge on how he might do at LB in a different system. One thing we know about Dorgu is that he is very versatile, very young and raw, and able to surprise us with performances we didn’t think he had in him. With a more defined role and clear instructions, I think he could prove to be very valuable in a few different positions.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Baleba - 70m
Nusa - 65m
Ederson - 30m
Van Hecke - 40m
Welbeck - free

Sesko
Cunha Bruno Mbeumo
Mainoo Baleba
Shaw Martinez Van Hecke Mazraoui
Lammens

Welbeck
Nusa Mount Amad
Ederson Ugarte
Dorgu Yoro De Ligt Dalot
Vitek​

 

[croadyman]

Baleba - 70m
Nusa - 65m
Ederson - 30m
Matheus Fernandes - 40m
Welbeck - free
Extend Maguire

Sesko
Cunha Bruno Mbeumo
Mainoo Baleba
Shaw Martinez De Ligt Mazraoui
Lammens

Welbeck
Nusa Mount Amad
Ederson Fernandes
Dorgu Maguire Yoro Dalot
Vitek​

Swap Baleba for Anderson/Tonali

 

[RedKnight88]

Baleba - 70m
Nusa - 65m
Ederson - 30m
Matheus Fernandes - 40m
Welbeck - free
Extend Maguire

Sesko
Cunha Bruno Mbeumo
Mainoo Baleba
Shaw Martinez De Ligt Mazraoui
Lammens

Welbeck
Nusa Mount Amad
Ederson Fernandes
Dorgu Maguire Yoro Dalot
Vitek​

I don't see it with Antonio Nusa. Still very young of course. But He is not worth £65m right now.

 

[siw2007]

Anderson is my number 1 target. City might have him lined up already but we’ve got to try. If not him, then go for Wharton or Fernandes. I think we will need a 2nd midfielder, I would try for someone a bit cheaper from outside the premier league and maybe Goretzka on a free. 3 midfielders with Ugarte leaving as well seems sensible.

I would also go for Summerville from West Ham. We’ve got players who can play left wing not many who play that position naturally with Cunha and Mount being better down the middle and Dorgu being a left back.

I appreciate that I have no idea how much this would cost. Maybe £200-250m??

 

[Ahmer Baig]

People suggesting Baleba, have you guys not seen him play this season?

 

[SWE-Chucky]

---------------------Lammens
------Dalot - De Ligt - Martinez - LB
----Anderson - Bruno - Mainoo
---------Amad - Mbuemo- Cunha

----------------------Vitek
-----Mazraoui - Maguire/Yoro - Heaven - Shaw
---------------------Goretzka- Wharton
-----------Diomande- Mount - Dorgu
-------------------------------Sesko

Vitek 20m
LB ?
Anderson 90m
Goretzka 0m
Diomande 70m
Wharton 80m
= 260m

Out:
Casemiro 0m
Heaton 0m
Sancho 0m
Höjlund 40m
Rashford 35m
Zirkzkee 35m
Malacia 5m
Bayinder 5m
Onana 20m
Ugarte 30m
= 170m
= 260m - 170m = 90m + LB (Probably around 30-50m)

Reports lately have been saying that we will have around 200m budget this summer again, CL football or not even though qualifying for the CL would help a lot, not only with how much we can spend but also being able to attract the players of the highest level.

 

[Dubai]

Vitek 20m

Doesn't seem like a wise use of money to spend 20 million buying our own Goalkeeper?

 

[Zumbi]

Doesn't seem like a wise use of money to spend 20 million buying our own Goalkeeper?

At least we make 20 million out of it.

 

[RedSince82]

What does the caf think about Igor Thiago?

What impresses me is he has stepped up and been prolific at every level. Bulgaria, Belgium and now England.

 

[RedSince82]

Casemiro is going to be a big loss on current form. Tonali or Guimaraes would be my pick for replacement.

 

[RedKnight88]

What does the caf think about Igor Thiago?

What impresses me is he has stepped up and been prolific at every level. Bulgaria, Belgium and now England.

Same. But I don't think we'd spend on a striker at all now that Sesko seems to have settled and Mbuemo could do a job there.
Maybe focus that area in 2027.
I like Yegor Yarmalyuk and Dango Ouatarra too.

 

[Adz_99]

What does the caf think about Igor Thiago?

What impresses me is he has stepped up and been prolific at every level. Bulgaria, Belgium and now England.

Depends on price. I think we probably do need another out and out striker considering we only have Sesko but I don't think we can spend another £70m+ in that position just for the same of competition. Would be a good signing though.

 

[croadyman]

Casemiro is going to be a big loss on current form. Tonali or Guimaraes would be my pick for replacement.

Yeah would love to sign either, feel Tonali better fits the age profile for INEOS but Guimaraes is the better player

 

[andersj]

Did not find the article, so might be BS?

 

[SilentWitness]

Did not find the article, so might be BS?

A versatile forward would certainly push towards those Ndiaye links that have been mooted.

 

[Woziak]

---------------------Lammens
------Dalot - De Ligt - Martinez - LB
----Anderson - Bruno - Mainoo
---------Amad - Mbuemo- Cunha

----------------------Vitek
-----Mazraoui - Maguire/Yoro - Heaven - Shaw
---------------------Goretzka- Wharton
-----------Diomande- Mount - Dorgu
-------------------------------Sesko

Vitek 20m
LB ?
Anderson 90m
Goretzka 0m
Diomande 70m
Wharton 80m
= 260m

Out:
Casemiro 0m
Heaton 0m
Sancho 0m
Höjlund 40m
Rashford 35m
Zirkzkee 35m
Malacia 5m
Bayinder 5m
Onana 20m
Ugarte 30m
= 170m
= 260m - 170m = 90m + LB (Probably around 30-50m)

Reports lately have been saying that we will have around 200m budget this summer again, CL football or not even though qualifying for the CL would help a lot, not only with how much we can spend but also being able to attract the players of the highest level.

Is that £200m with player sales or £200m plus player Sales?

 

[Woziak]

What does the caf think about Igor Thiago?

What impresses me is he has stepped up and been prolific at every level. Bulgaria, Belgium and now England.

I think he’s probably 50/50 with most of CAF, he could also have injury issues. Personally I want us to finally go sign Victor Osimhen, he is a beast and made for the PL.

Assuming he’s 27 in the summer and not 28 until December this year, we could give him a 4+1 year contract on £275,000 per week plus Goal Bonus.

He’s currently on £250,000 per week in Turkey, let’s test the theory he’s a United Fan as indicated in the media.

My point is Igor Thiago might be £75m from Brentford and Osimhen would be slighter cheaper, he has a buyout of €80m (£69m) and Osimhen is just Elite, we need an Elite 27/28 year old for young Benjamin to learn from, plus Sesko can play as a 10 with an out and out nine like Osimhen.

 

[Woziak]

---------------------Lammens
------Dalot - De Ligt - Martinez - LB
----Anderson - Bruno - Mainoo
---------Amad - Mbuemo- Cunha

----------------------Vitek
-----Mazraoui - Maguire/Yoro - Heaven - Shaw
---------------------Goretzka- Wharton
-----------Diomande- Mount - Dorgu
-------------------------------Sesko

Vitek 20m
LB ?
Anderson 90m
Goretzka 0m
Diomande 70m
Wharton 80m
= 260m

Out:
Casemiro 0m
Heaton 0m
Sancho 0m
Höjlund 40m
Rashford 35m
Zirkzkee 35m
Malacia 5m
Bayinder 5m
Onana 20m
Ugarte 30m
= 170m
= 260m - 170m = 90m + LB (Probably around 30-50m)

Reports lately have been saying that we will have around 200m budget this summer again, CL football or not even though qualifying for the CL would help a lot, not only with how much we can spend but also being able to attract the players of the highest level.

We need to keep Tom Heaton for one more year, fantastic Human being around the squad and we need more of those.

 

[andersj]

A versatile forward would certainly push towards those Ndiaye links that have been mooted.

Agree. But difficult to say. Depends on how accurate the journalist are.