Rafael Leao has decided to end his time at San Siro. After months of speculation over whether he would continue at AC Milan, the Portuguese winger came out last week to confirm he will be leaving. His admission comes just days after he was repeatedly linked with a move to Manchester United, transfer links he himself fuelled last week by admitting he closely follows the 20-time English champions. The Red Devils could certainly use a player of his abilities. With no natural left winger at the club, landing Leao would be a statement signing. The Milan star is a fantastic ball-carrier and a superb dribbler, with the physical presence to shrug off any defender. He could weaponise United’s attack and help it find the balance it so desperately yearns for. With his desire for a new venture now obvious, the question is why INEOS have yet to strike a deal to bring him to Manchester. Rafael Leao transfer timeline emerges For now, as per Italian journalist Gianluigi Longari, striking a deal for his services will be difficult. Longari says, “Rafa Leao is currently not considering any offers. The scenario of his departure from Milan remains on the table, but it will only come into sharper focus after his World Cup campaign with Portugal.” Moving for Leao may well be a waiting game, but while patience is needed, United should be doing everything in their power to sway him to their side. Man United’s secret agents at the World Cup Bruno Fernandes and Diogo Dalot could yet prove to be United’s secret agents in turning the Portuguese winger’s head. That said, while Leão may not have enjoyed the finest of league campaigns, few would dare question his ability, just last season Massimiliano Allegri was bragging of what an attacking “genius” he is. He is certainly a player to watch at this World Cup. Ousmane Dembele’s departure from Barcelona, where he looked a spent force, only to reinvent himself spectacularly at PSG, should give United’s chiefs genuine hope that a fresh start at M16 could see Leao rediscover his very best. Should that happen, it will be a frightening prospect, though fortunately not for United and their fans. Featured images Marco Luzzani via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.
United on high alert as “genius” attacker who wants Old Trafford move sets deadline to determine his next club – report
United identify 6’3 PL juggernaut in the form of his life as major upgrade on Wilcox flop – Ben Jacobs
Manchester United have identified Igor Thiago as a target after a breakout season for Brentford, though a deal hinges on a key condition, according to a transfer expert. Major Overhaul With Michael Carrick confirmed as permanent head coach after securing Champions League qualification with a third-place finish, the mood around Old Trafford is a positive one. INEOS are planning a major overhaul this summer to bolster the squad ahead of a return to Europe’s elite competition, with much of this season’s success stemming from the absence of midweek football. A revamp in midfield is the priority as Casemiro will depart this month, while Manuel Ugarte will be sold if a suitable offer arrives for the 25-year-old Uruguayan. Kobbie Mainoo has been rejuvenated under Carrick, and finding a complementary partner for the English starlet is a priority. Reinforcements are also expected on the left-hand side, with enquiries being made for both wingers and full-backs to bring more balance to Carrick’s lopsided group, which has far more depth on the right. A central defender may arrive, though Harry Maguire’s contract extension has eased the pressure in this area of the pitch. A new back-up to Senne Lammens will be needed if Altay Bayindir joins Andre Onana in Türkiye, amid interest from Besiktas. A more reliable centre-forward to ease the pressure on Benjamin Sesko is also on the agenda, given how poor a signing Joshua Zirkzee has proved since arriving from Bologna for £36.5 million in 2024 – which explains the interest in Thiago. One In, One Out The bulk of the summer budget is set to be directed towards fixing the stalling engine room, with three new recruits expected to arrive, totalling as much as £150 million. This leaves little left over to upgrade the attack. Much like with the goalkeeping situation, United will be operating on a ‘one in, one out’ basis. A new No.2 will be targeted, or brought back from loan, if Bayindir leaves; likewise, a new No.9 can only be signed if Zirkzee is sold. There is considerable interest from Serie A in the 24-year-old Dutchman, the league in which he first established himself, winning Young Player of the Year before leaving for England. A number of Italian clubs made advances in January to gauge a deal, but were rebuffed as United’s hierarchy did not want to weaken the squad while on the hunt for Champions League football. If these suitors present themselves again this summer, however, the answer will be very different, with INEOS ready to sanction a permanent sale to generate funds for a replacement. Thiago, Brentford’s red-hot striker, is one name on the radar at Old Trafford after a superb season at the Gtech Community Stadium, which saw him finish as the Premier League’s second top scorer with 22 goals, five behind Manchester City superstar Erling Haaland. The Brazil international, who has gone from playing in Bulgaria to representing the Selecao at the World Cup in the space of three years, is admired by many of England’s top clubs, with his potent pairing of size, speed and strength making him the ideal frontman. Speaking to the United Stand, Ben Jacobs claims United are interested in the 24-year-old, despite the preference being an “older and more experienced” option. “While it is very initial and player led at this stage, Man United are just starting to look the market in the old and more experienced category of strikers, with one or two exceptions like Igor Thiago – in case Joshua Zirkzee levels,” the talkSPORT reporter states. Final Thoughts A report relayed by The Peoples Person a few months ago corroborated this interest, revealing United were “weighing up” a move for Thiago. Brentford’s asking price is expected to be in excess of £60 million, however, with Bryan Mbeumo’s switch to M16 likely to be used as a reference point. Jacobs mentions other names like Crystal Palace target man Jean-Philippe Mateta and Al-Ahli striker Ivan Toney, formerly of Brentford, as other potential candidates, while Dusan Vlahovic and Victor Osimhen are two other high-profile strikers on the continent. Regardless of who United zero in on, it will require Zirkzee to be sold to make room, with a minimum price of £22 million to avoid a negative PSR hit – a relatively cheap price by the cash-heavy standard of England, but one Italian sides are unlikely to be willing to meet happily. Featured image George Wood via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Darragh Fox Darragh is an editor for The Peoples Person who spent three years learning about the Cold War at the University of Sheffield slowly realising football was by far the most interesting thing to write about. Amad’s first touch should be officially recognised as the eighth wonder of the world.
United strike gold in pursuit of “incredible” Brazilian attacker, Ineos have already made a move – report
Manchester United’s interest in FC Porto’s breakout winger William Gomes was first reported in May. Spanish outlet AS claimed that United have enquired about the availability of Gomes ahead of the summer transfer window. Gomes has enjoyed an electric campaign in Portugal, sparking interest from several top clubs. Now, Porto’s stance on his future has emerged. Porto prepared to sell William Gomes at a €20m discount According to Portuguese publication Correio da Manhã (via Sport Witness), Manchester United are among the clubs showing interest in William Gomes. The 20-year-old winger, who has been likened to Luis Diaz for his speed and dribbling, is under contract until 2029. It includes a release clause worth €80 million (£69.1m). William Gomes Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed Cards Liga Portugal288151 Europa League114-2- Taca de Portugal611– Allianz Cup1–1- Total4613281 However, Porto are willing to consider a sale for a fee of around €60m (£51.6m). Such a sale would represent a huge profit for the Dragons, who signed him from São Paulo in early 2025 for a mere €10m. It is added that Porto’s demands have already been communicated through contacts with agents and intermediaries. Gomes has been described as “an incredible player, a very dedicated boy, who has spectacular ambition” by Porto legend Pepê. Manchester United more likely to sign a left-back The 5’7″ winger, who can play on either flank, is certainly an exciting prospect and Porto’s asking price is not unreasonable. However, United are prioritising other areas. Recently, The Athletic suggested that the Red Devils are “looking at the left side of their team during this window, but full-back seems the likeliest spot for an arrival.” Both Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu have impressed under Michael Carrick. As such, it would be in United’s best interests to give the pair another season to fight for a starting spot in Carrick’s squad, and at the same time, keep an eye on William’s development in Portugal. Featured image Octavio Passos via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Vishal Singh Vishal has worked in the football media industry for over six years, planning, writing, and editing content for several major outlets, including North Star Network. Vishal has a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from Delhi University. Currently a writer at The Peoples Person, he covers Manchester United — a club he has been religiously following and supporting since 2012. Vishal also manages a leading MUFC fan page, The Red Devils, on Facebook with over a million likes. Big fan of ball-playing centre-backs and Harry Maguire’s knee-slide celebration!
United flop holds the key to INEOS beating their noisy neighbours in the race for PL superstar – BBC
Manchester United will be hoping to repeat last summer’s success story as they gear up for further squad reinforcements this year. Not only did the Red Devils upgrade their attack and goalkeeping departments, but they also streamlined the squad by orchestrating a mass exodus from the attack. The departures of Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho, Antony and Rasmus Hojlund saw much of the deadwood removed from the squad. The focus this summer is going to be on securing Casemiro’s heir, with the Brazilian set to depart as a free agent after an exceptional campaign. United have reportedly agreed a deal to make Atalanta midfielder Ederson their first signing of the summer. The Red Devils are now expected to add at least one more midfielder, with Premier League-proven candidates dominating their wish list. However, the English giants are also looking to cash in on quite a few unwanted stars and raise a significant amount to reinvest in the squad. Recent reports have suggested that Manuel Ugarte is among the players likely to be shown the door. United missed a trick with Ugarte United were looking for Casemiro’s long-term replacement when they signed Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) in the summer of 2024. It is ironic that the Brazilian ended up relegating the Uruguayan to the bench. Ugarte’s career never really took off at Old Trafford. Former manager Erik ten Hag, who signed him from the Parisians, left before the end of the year. The Uruguayan was in and out of the first team under the Dutchman’s successor, Ruben Amorim, and his situation went from bad to worse this season. Even the arrival of Michael Carrick in January as a temporary replacement for the Portuguese head coach failed to improve Ugarte’s situation. The Uruguayan appeared in just seven of the Englishman’s 17 games in charge, only one of which was from the start. Manuel Ugarte Stats: 2025/26 Season CompetitionAppearancesStartsGoalsAssistsYellow CardsRed CardsMinutes Played Premier League228–1-881′ FA Cup11—-79′ EFL Cup11—-45′ Total2410–1-1,005′ Source: Transfermarkt. With Carrick appointed as United’s permanent manager and midfield reinforcement plans already in place, the 25 year old is now surplus to requirements at Old Trafford. Recent reports suggest that Galatasaray are ready to offer Ugarte a lifeline, and it now appears that the Red Devils’ summer activity also depends on his exit. Anderson/Baleba arrival depends on Ugarte sale According to the BBC, there’s a belief behind the scenes at Old Trafford that Ugarte is not up to the task of representing United. The report states: “I also get the sense that if Manchester United could do a deal which would see Manuel Ugarte leave the club in some way, shape or form, then that would suit all parties.” “People behind the scenes certainly feel that he isn’t quite up to it and the reality is that he didn’t play any football from the home defeat to Leeds United right to the end of the season.” The report goes on to state that Ugarte’s departure could pave the way for the arrival of someone like Elliot Anderson or Carlos Baleba, adding: “Depending on how much money Manchester United can raise for him, they will then look to put it towards someone like Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson or Brighton’s Carlos Baleba.” United remain hot on the heels of Anderson, although recent reports suggest that Manchester City are in the driving seat in the race. Meanwhile, Baleba has been on the Red Devils’ wish list since last summer, and a move this year cannot be ruled out either. Final Thoughts A recent report relayed by The Peoples Person suggests that United are willing to let Ugarte leave for just £24 million. With the Uruguayan struggling to come to terms with the rigours of the Premier League, it is in the best interests of all parties that he moves on this summer. Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
Barcelona hatch new plot to force United’s hand, propose two new payment methods to land Rashford – report
Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford conundrum has just become a little more complicated, if Ben Jacobs’ latest report is to be believed. The Mancunian would have felt confident about staying at Camp Nou after helping Barcelona clinch the La Liga title ahead of arch-rivals Real Madrid. The United academy graduate scored 14 times in all competitions and registered as many assists, and manager Hansi Flick subsequently asked the club hierarchy to keep hold of the Englishman. Considering his loan included a buy option worth a meagre £26 million, INEOS would have expected it to be triggered, given the loanee‘s performance. Barcelona up to all sorts of tricks However, the Catalan giants have been dilly-dallying over paying the full amount, initially asking for another loan before requesting to pay the amount in instalments. INEOS held firm and were of the opinion that they could earn a higher fee if Barcelona did not honour their side of the bargain. The Spanish giants moved swiftly to bring in Anthony Gordon from Newcastle United and are closing in on deals for Bernardo Silva and Julian Alvarez. That effectively meant the doors were closing for the England international, who would have to return to Manchester for pre-season. Marcus Rashford in danger of returning to United There is interest from Premier League sides, but the 20-time English league champions are reluctant to strengthen a direct rival. This is why INEOS have been forced to soften their stance, and they are now open to offering Barcelona a discount to get the 28-year-old’s massive wages off their books. Jacobs has revealed that the Camp Nou outfit have proposed two new payment methods: pay £17 million right now, or pay the full £26 million after another loan. “Barcelona have told Man United two things in the last two or three weeks…They’ll pay €20 million with a different structure. Barcelona’s latest ask “They won’t pay €20 million, they’ll do €30 million but they want a season-long loan, and that €30 million be a conditional obligation, likely triggered by performance-related criteria. “Man United are saying no, it’s €30 million now otherwise Rashford won’t join.” Michael Carrick will be desperate to avoid the possibility of another bomb squad forming on the sidelines. The ball is in INEOS’ court, with Marcus Rashford busy trying to impress at the upcoming World Cup. Feature image Denis Doyle via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
Transfer stand-off: English side “adamant” over not lowering their asking price despite 21yo maestro yearning for United – BBC
Manchester United have started their squad revamp in earnest as they agreed an initial £35 million deal for Ederson. INEOS are clearly not done, as after securing the Brazilian, the focus has shifted to trying to agree a deal with West Ham United for Mateus Fernandes. The 21-year-old has made it clear that he would prefer a switch to Old Trafford over any other destination, and now it is up to the clubs to come to an agreement. The Hammers had initially slapped a £84 million price tag on the Portuguese midfielder’s head, double of what the London side had paid Southampton for his services. Stand-off between United and West Ham Following West Ham’s relegation, United felt such an exorbitant price tag was unrealistic and were willing to pay around £60 million. However, according to the BBC, West Ham are adamant they do not need to sell despite losing their Premier League status and are unwilling to budge from their asking price of £80 million. Journalist Simon Stone wrote, “I would be surprised if the deal for Mateus Fernandes didn’t get done. “I believe the club are in a bit of a stand-off with West Ham United at the moment, who are adamant they don’t have to sell and want £80m.” United remain confident of signing Mateus Fernandes What this effectively means is that, unlike with the Ederson deal, the Red Devils will not reach an amicable resolution anytime soon. This saga might drag on for a bit longer, until West Ham realise the folly of their ways and are forced to accept a lower fee. It is well known that they need to raise money following their dramatic downfall. One good thing for the 20-time English league champions is that Mateus Fernandes did not make the Portugal World Cup squad, so there is time to agree a deal. United will still be confident of agreeing a deal before pre-season kicks off so as to allow Michael Carrick more time to integrate his ideas with the whole squad. Feature image Julian Finney via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
First thing that he tells me is: United ace explains how Cristiano Ronaldo helped revive his career
Manchester United full-back Diogo Dalot has shed light on club legend Cristiano Ronaldo’s influence on his career. The five-time Ballon d’Or winner registered 145 goals and 73 assists for the Red Devils in 346 appearances over two spells. Ronaldo became a household name during his initial six-season stint at Old Trafford, winning everything on offer before leaving for Real Madrid in the summer of 2009. The Portuguese superstar returned for a second spell in 2021, when he rubbed shoulders with Dalot. Cristiano Ronaldo: Trophies won with United CompetitionYear of Win Premier League2006–07, 2007–08, 2008–09 FA Cup2003–04 Football League Cup2005–06, 2008–09 FA Community Shield2007 UEFA Champions League2007–08 FIFA Club World Cup2008 Source: Wikipedia. The right-back was breaking into the first team during that period after a series of loan spells. Ronaldo’s second coming, however, did not live up to expectations. He left the Theatre of Dreams in December 2022 after a fallout with former manager Erik ten Hag to join Al Nassr, where he currently plies his trade. Nevertheless, the legendary forward left a lasting impression on Dalot, who recently spoke at length on the playing alongside his idol. The biggest influence in Dalot’s career Speaking to former United striker Danny Webber on the Influencers series, Dalot revealed that Ronaldo has always been his idol. He said: “He was my idol, forever. Since I remember football, he was the person that I wanted to be like, and I watched everything about him. He was my biggest idol, and he still is.” The full-back went on to outline how sharing the pitch with the five-time Ballon d’Or winner at Old Trafford changed his career, adding: “He was the biggest direct influence that I had in my career. Without any doubt. Because the moment he arrived and I became a team-mate of his, my career went [up].” “And coincidence or not, it was when he arrived, because the way that his mind is shaped and the way that he works, the way that I was watching every single day.” “It made me stronger mentally, it made me stronger physically, it made me pay more attention to my body, to the way I treat people, to all the aspects of the game that you can imagine, on the pitch and outside.” Ronaldo lent Dalot a helping hand at United Dalot went on to reveal how Ronaldo helped him become a first-team regular for the Red Devils. He said: “It was a period when I came back from loan. And I didn’t play, I didn’t have any space in the team like I have now.” “And the first thing that he tells me is, ‘Diogo, I already saw you in the national team, I know who you are outside the pitch, it’s a matter of time. And I’m going to help you in training, I’m going to help you outside training. Will you come with me? We’re going to talk, we’re going to do all these things, we’re going to spend some time together and I’m sure that things will go the way that you want.’” “For him to also take a bit of time to advise me and care about me, I think that’s also made me like him even more. He has that influence, and definitely, since he became my team-mate, my career changed drastically.” Dalot and Ronaldo shared the pitch 65 times for club and country, contributing two goals together. Final Thoughts Ronaldo’s professionalism and zeal for excellence are an example for every young footballer across the world. The 41 year old, who is gearing up for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, remains fondly remembered at Old Trafford. Featured image Yasser Bakhsh via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Deepungsu Pandit Deepungsu has been a Manchester United fan since 2000. In his playing days, he was an attacking midfielder with a proclivity for the back heel. Right now, however, he prefers to operate as a regista. Deepungsu has been writing about the Red Devils, Football, and other things since 2009. He has worked for over seven years with Sportskeeda, writing football reviews, opinions and news articles. Deepungsu also maintains a blog, The Thinking Me, where he writes about life and things that interest him. His favourite Manchester United player is Paul Scholes.
United dramatically change their tune regarding the future of Bruno Fernandes as priorities shift overnight – report
This summer is one that Manchester United are expected to use to reshape their midfield. While United’s engine room has been decent, INEOS now have a perfect opportunity to make it world-class. Casemiro has left as a free agent, and Manuel Ugarte is also tipped to follow him through the exit door. Their departures give the Red Devils the leverage to make a number of midfield signings. A deal for Atalanta’s Brazilian midfielder Ederson has already been struck, and there is talk of two further midfielders following the Samba star through the entry door. Deals for other top targets such as Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali are anticipated to be struck, but INEOS have one other key piece of business for their midfield to attend to: handing Bruno Fernandes a new deal. After the revolutionary season Fernandes had, carrying United back into Champions League football and breaking the Premier League assists record (21), he deserved to be rewarded handsomely. The fact that the Premier League player of the season carries a £57 million release clause this summer, with top clubs capable of swaying him, should have been enough to trigger an immediate contract offer. There have been suggestions of talks being initiated over that. Yet, just as fans were expecting some “breaking news” on that front, it appears a new deal may not materialise this summer, according to The Mirror. Latest on Bruno Fernandes contract talks The UK outlet reports that “Manchester United have shelved contract talks with Bruno Fernandes.” According to the report, “United chiefs remain relaxed about the situation – and will open negotiations with the Portuguese midfielder before the end of 2026 about a new and improved deal.” For now, INEOS are prioritising bringing in reinforcements. Fernandes’ new deal still important Fernandes’ love for United cannot be questioned. He will surely commit his future to the club, given his ambition to deliver Premier League glory to Old Trafford. That said, with Fernandes entering the final year of his deal, though the club hold an option to extend by a further year, it is easy to overstate how important it remains to secure his long-term future. Featured image by Michael Regan/Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.
Ronaldo’s message to a young Dalot
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United scouts were blown away by attacking starlet but INEOS’ “hands are tied” as PSG allowed to swoop in – report
Under INEOS, Manchester United have done well when it comes to attracting the top young talents from across the globe. Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, and Diego Leon are just some of the recent examples of their youth-first policy. However, the Red Devils seem to have faltered when it comes to their pursuit of Lokomotiv Moscow’s Aleksey Batrakov. The 20-year-old has been making waves in Russia, scoring 17 times while registering 12 assists last season. Why United scouts were blown away by Aleksey Batrakov His form has attracted the interest of multiple Premier League giants, including United, Manchester City and Chelsea. However, Teamtalk have revealed that Paris Saint-Germain are close to scooping up the attacking midfielder due to UK sanctions. Direct transfer dealings between English and Russian clubs are not allowed due to the Ukraine conflict, which has allowed PSG a free run at the Russian international. “Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City have all been left frustrated in their attempts to position themselves for Aleksey Batrakov, with Paris Saint-Germain now closing in on a deal for the highly-rated Russian starlet, TEAMtalk sources confirm. How PSG won the race despite United’s best efforts “We understand that scouts across the Premier League regard Batrakov as one of the finest young attacking talents in world football. “TEAMtalk understands that Man Utd, Chelsea and Man City have all closely monitored the youngster through their Eastern European scouting networks and have been hugely impressed by his development. “Sources say Premier League clubs have explored a variety of avenues in an attempt to determine whether a deal could be possible, but current regulations mean there is effectively no route for English clubs to sign Batrakov directly from Lokomotiv Moscow.” Both Chelsea and City tried to sign him via their multi-club model while United tried loan arrangements. But “their hands are tied” and the Champions League winners look on course to win the race. Feature image Christopher Furlong via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Ayantan Chowdhury After failing to become a professional footballer, Ayantan switched to the next best thing: writing about the greatest football club in the world. He has extensive sports journalism experience, having worked for over 10 years in the Indian sports media industry, writing for the biggest newspapers and websites. Currently an editor at The Peoples Person. You can follow him on X: @ayantanc_25
