Manchester United will have work to do in the summer transfer window, with some ins and outs planned, regardless of where they finish this season
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND - MARCH 22: Jadon Sancho of Aston Villa during the Premier League match between Aston Villa and West Ham United at Villa Park on March 22, 2026 in Birmingham, England. (Photo by Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
Jadon Sancho's future could soon become clear(Image: Gareth Copley, Getty Images)
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Five Premier League teams will qualify for next season's Champions League, with Arsenal's win in Portugal on Tuesday night making the news official and giving Manchester United a welcome boost. Michael Carrick's side will resume their campaign against Leeds on Monday with seven fixtures remaining to secure a top-five finish, which could help them land transfer targets as they prepare for a crucial summer window.
Several players are expected to depart Old Trafford this summer, with Jadon Sancho and Casemiro poised to leave when their contracts run out. However, centre-back Harry Maguire has now agreed terms on a deal which will keep him at United.
Maguire and his colleagues will be eager to accumulate points before potentially pivotal meetings with Chelsea and Liverpool during the run-in. United currently sit in third place with a cushion of six points over fifth-placed Liverpool, while Chelsea sit a further point adrift.
As we enter a crucial few weeks on the pitch, there has been considerable speculation about what the summer transfer window will bring. Here are the latest lines.
Dortmund's Sancho reunion plans
Lars Ricken, Borussia Dortmund's sporting director, has revealed Jadon Sancho is amongst several players the club are evaluating ahead of the transfer window opening. Sancho excelled at Dortmund prior to his £73m switch to Manchester United in 2021 and also enjoyed a loan stint with the club during their run to the 2024 Champions League final.
"We are currently looking at and analysing a lot of players," Ricken told SportBILD. "We are assessing whether they can improve our team. We are doing the same with Jadon."
Managing director of Borussia Dortmund Lars Ricken looks on ahead the German first division Bundesliga football match between VfL Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund in Wolfsburg, on February 7, 2026. (Photo by Ronny HARTMANN / AFP via Getty Images) / DFL REGULATIONS PROHIBIT ANY USE OF PHOTOGRAPHS AS IMAGE SEQUENCES AND/OR QUASI-VIDEO
Dortmund chief Lars Ricken was asked about Jadon Sancho(Image: RONNY HARTMANN, AFP via Getty Images)
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Long-serving star Julian Brandt is due to leave this summer, so securing a replacement for the German is expected to be amongst their top priorities. "We will have to compensate for Julian Brandt's creativity and scoring contributions; we were aware of that when we made our decision," Ricken said.
"Naturally, we are looking for an attacking player who brings quality, can help us immediately, and doesn't require an exorbitant transfer fee. In defence, Niklas Süle is leaving us, and Emre Can is out for an extended period. Therefore, we are also considering options there."
Zirkzee could help in Ederson pursuit
Long-standing Manchester United target Ederson has looked destined for a summer switch to Atletico Madrid. However, the Premier League outfit could yet have the final say in the pursuit of the Atalanta star.
DORTMUND, GERMANY - FEBRUARY 17: Ederson of Atalanta BC looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Borussia Dortmund and Atalanta BC at BVB Stadion Dortmund on February 17, 2026 in Dortmund, Germany. (Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images)
Ederson's Atalanta contract expires in 2027(Image: Rene Nijhuis/MB Media, Getty Images)
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Media in Italy have suggested Atalanta remain interested in bringing out-of-favour United striker Joshua Zirkzee to Bergamo, though the Dutch forward is not set on a move away from Old Trafford. If Zirkzee does prove open to a departure, it could potentially open the door for Ederson to move the other way.
Brazilian midfielder Ederson is reported to have agreed terms with Atleti but there could be further twists in the saga. The 26-year-old is out of contract in 2027 and isn't believed to be planning on renewing that deal, meaning Atalanta could look to cash in sooner rather than later.
Casemiro might not be the only United midfielder leaving this summer, with question marks also surrounding Manuel Ugarte. Multiple midfield targets have been linked with the club, amongst them Premier League names Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton.