United forced into high-stakes transfer battle for former City prodigy dubbed the next Ballack – report

It is the worst-kept secret: one of Manchester United’s biggest transfer priorities this year is strengthening their midfield. Reports relayed by The Peoples Person have now revealed that Casemiro will be leaving in the summer. His impending departure, coupled with Manuel Ugarte’s struggles and the glaring need to reinforce United’s engine room, given that they have signed only two central midfielders in the past seven years, has intensified the appetite for fresh talent in that area. Persistent midfield transfer links Persistent rumours of midfield reinforcements continue to swirl, with some of the finest talents repeatedly being linked to United. The latest name to be linked is Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha. Evidently, the Dortmund star, widely dubbed Germany’s next Michael Ballack, has, through his brilliance this season, truly captured the attention of the 20‑time English champions. Would Dortmund really allow the next Ballack to walk away so easily? According to a report relayed by The Peoples Person, Dortmund appear reluctant to sanction his departure. Nevertheless, the same report stressed that sustained pressure from suitors could eventually force the German side’s hand, with a €60 million deal already being mooted. Just as attention turned to whether Manchester United would convert their interest into an official bid, a fresh twist has emerged. Chelsea blown away by Nmecha INEOS may have hoped it would be only them pressing hard for the former City midfielder, but it has now emerged they are not alone in the chase. Sky Germany, via Buli News, claim Chelsea are equally impressed by Nmecha. They report: “Another English Premier League club has reportedly entered the race for Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha. Chelsea are monitoring the 25-year-old, who has previously been linked with Manchester United.” With Chelsea forcing their way into the conversation, the stage is set for a fierce transfer battle between two Premier League giants. And while both clubs prepare to fight for the Bundesliga star, Nmecha himself remains tight-lipped about a potential return to England: “I’m not going to say right now whether I want to play in the Premier League or not,” he admitted before Dortmund’s 2-0 defeat to Tottenham on Tuesday. Unfinished business in England Having once been denied the chance to shine in England, Pep Guardiola shipped him off to Wolfsburg. Nmecha surely should feel he has unfinished business in the Premier League. Packaged as a physically imposing, technically adept box-to-box midfielder, he looks tailor-made for English football. Whoever secures his signature, Chelsea or United, will be landing an exceptional player. For United, though, this feels like a battle they cannot afford to lose. Featured image Christof Koepsel 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.