Manchester United are preparing for a significant summer transfer window, with midfield reinforcements at the top of manager Michael Carrick's priority list following Casemiro's departure. The club is reportedly targeting at least two central midfielders as they prepare for a Champions League return.
Lille president reveals Bouaddi's price tag
Lille president Olivier Letang has indicated that teenage midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi could command a fee of up to £120m, amid interest from Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. The 18-year-old Morocco international impressed at the World Cup and has attracted attention from several Premier League clubs.
"Many clubs are interested in him, but very few can afford him right now," Letang told Eurosport. "He's already one of the best midfielders in the world and still has significant room for improvement."
Letang declined to name a specific valuation but referenced recent big-money moves, including Elliot Anderson's £116m transfer to Manchester City and Sandro Tonali's proposed £100m switch to Tottenham, suggesting Bouaddi could cost even more. "You have to look at his level," he explained. "How much have players like Anderson or Tonali been sold for, who are much older, but without room for improvement, so you have an idea of the value of Ayyoub, who has a unique profile at only 18-years-old."
United turn attention to Chelsea's Andrey Santos
Manchester United are also reportedly pursuing Chelsea midfielder Andrey Santos, who is said to want a move away from Stamford Bridge in search of regular first-team football. The Guardian reports that United have started monitoring the 22-year-old Brazilian after missing out on Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, who joined Manchester City and Tottenham respectively.
Chelsea are believed to value Santos at around £50m, despite him being behind Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez in the club's hierarchy. Santos joined Chelsea in 2023 and made 27 league appearances last season, starting 13 of those matches. The Blues are reportedly open to selling the midfielder to raise funds for new manager Xabi Alonso's transfer plans.
United had previously shown interest in Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, but both players have since completed moves to other clubs. The Red Devils are also linked with Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi, but the French club's hefty valuation could prove a stumbling block.
