Dan Huijsen – Martin Odegaard – Gabriel Martinelli – Alejandro Balde – Casemiro all feature in Manchester United roundup…
Real Madrid are reportedly prepared to listen to offers for highly rated defender Dean Huijsen this summer, with a potential £65 million price tag already circulating amid growing interest from Chelsea and Manchester United.
The big centre-back is widely considered one of the most promising young defenders in European football. However, reports in Spain suggest Madrid’s hierarchy could be willing to sanction a sale if a suitable offer arrives during the upcoming transfer window.
Huijsen, who has developed rapidly in recent seasons, is viewed internally at the Santiago Bernabéu as a valuable asset but not necessarily untouchable. Sources close to the club claim Madrid may consider cashing in if the fee approaches £65 million, a figure that would represent a significant profit on a player still establishing himself at senior level.
Interest from the Premier League is believed to be strong. Both CHELSEA and Manchester United have been linked with the young defender as they look to strengthen their back lines ahead of the 2026–27 season.
Chelsea are thought to be closely monitoring Huijsen’s situation as they continue their strategy of investing heavily in emerging talent. The London club has prioritised signing young players with high ceilings in recent transfer windows, and Huijsen fits that recruitment profile perfectly.
Manchester United, meanwhile, are also believed to be assessing defensive reinforcements. With uncertainty surrounding several centre-backs in their squad and a long-term rebuild ongoing, United scouts have reportedly been tracking Huijsen’s progress for months.
Huijsen’s combination of size, composure on the ball and tactical awareness has attracted admirers across Europe. Standing well over six feet tall, the defender is known for his aerial ability as well as his comfort playing out from the back — qualities highly valued in modern defenders.
Despite the rumours, Real Madrid are not actively pushing the player out. Club sources suggest they remain happy to keep Huijsen as part of their long-term defensive rotation, particularly given the demanding schedule across domestic and European competitions.
However, the prospect of a sizeable transfer fee and strong interest from the Premier League could tempt the Spanish giants to negotiate. And the emerging £65 million valuation has already set the stage for what could become one of the most intriguing defensive transfer sagas of the upcoming window.
CARRICK SENT CASEMIRO MESSAGE
Manchester United legend Bryan Robson has urged interim manager Michael Carrick and the club’s hierarchy to reconsider their decision to allow Casemiro to leave Old Trafford, describing the Brazilian as an “absolute top player” whose experience remains invaluable.
Casemiro is expected to depart Manchester United at the end of the season when his current contract expires, after the club opted not to trigger an option to extend his stay for another year. The midfielder joined United from Real Madrid in 2022 in a deal worth around £70 million and quickly became a key figure in the squad.
Despite reports of a summer midfield overhaul, Robson believes the club could be making a mistake by letting the veteran leave. Speaking recently about the Brazilian, the former United captain praised his football intelligence and leadership, insisting he remains one of the squad’s most influential figures.
‘I would encourage Casemiro to stay,’ Red Devils legend Robson told BoyleSports. ‘He’s had a really good season this year.
‘He’s a top player. He’s got a great football brain. He’s a really good passer of the ball. He heads the ball well and when he goes in to tackle, he means it.
‘You don’t stay at Real Madrid for the amount of years he did and win Champions League titles if you’re not an absolute top player and people see what you’re really good at.
‘So I think next season he could definitely give us a little bit more with his experience. He was great in Europe last year too.’
Carrick, who took charge on an interim basis earlier this year, has overseen an encouraging run of results that has strengthened his case to become the club’s permanent manager. However, the looming departure of Casemiro leaves United facing a significant midfield reshuffle ahead of the summer transfer window.
Reports suggest the club is already exploring potential replacements, with several Premier League midfielders linked as targets. Yet Robson’s comments highlight concerns among former players that Manchester United could lose more than just a defensive midfielder if Casemiro departs.
With the club pushing for Champions League qualification and preparing for a major rebuild, the decision over Casemiro’s future could become one of the defining issues of United’s summer planning.
MARTINELLI CHANCE
Fresh transfer speculation suggests that Arsenal could be willing to sell Brazilian winger Gabriel Martinelli this summer if a bid of around €65 million is submitted, with Manchester United among the clubs reportedly monitoring the situation.
Recent reports indicate that Arsenal have placed an approximate €65m valuation on the winger as they assess potential squad changes ahead of the next transfer window. Sources claim that Martinelli may be one of the players more likely to leave the Emirates Stadium compared to some of the club’s other key stars.
Martinelli joined Arsenal in 2019 from Brazilian side Ituano and quickly established himself as one of the Premier League’s most exciting young attackers. Known for his pace, pressing and direct style of play, the Brazilian international has been an important part of manager Mikel Arteta’s attacking system in recent seasons.
Despite his contribution to the team, the latest rumours suggest Arsenal could consider a sale as part of a broader effort to reshape the squad and generate funds for new signings. Reports claim that if a club meets the €65m valuation, the London side may be prepared to negotiate.
That has reportedly alerted Manchester United, who are expected to be active in the transfer market as they look to strengthen their forward options. United have been linked with several attacking targets, and Martinelli’s profile as a versatile wide forward could make him an attractive option for the club’s recruitment team.
A move to Old Trafford would represent a major transfer between two Premier League rivals, something that rarely happens but has precedent in English football. For United, Martinelli could offer pace and goal threat from the left wing while also providing competition and depth in the attacking positions.
However, any deal remains purely speculative at this stage. Arsenal are not believed to be actively pushing Martinelli out of the club, and the player still has a long-term contract in North London. That means any interested club would likely need to meet the reported asking price and convince the player that a move is the right step in his career.
In addition, several other European clubs are thought to be tracking Martinelli’s situation, meaning Manchester United would likely face competition if they decide to pursue the winger seriously.
With Arsenal reportedly open to offers and United potentially seeking attacking reinforcements, Martinelli’s future could become one of the more intriguing storylines of the upcoming summer transfer window.
BALDE DECISION
Manchester United’s hopes of signing Barcelona left-back Alejandro Balde this summer appear to have been firmly shut down after reports suggested the Catalan club have no intention of selling the defender.
The update, reported by ICFootballNews and echoed across transfer reports, indicates that FC Barcelona view the left-back as part of their long-term plans despite growing interest from across Europe.
Manchester United had been strongly linked with a move for the Spain international in recent months as the club searched for solutions at left-back. The position has been viewed internally as a priority area, with the Premier League side reportedly identifying Balde as an ideal fit due to his pace, attacking ability and experience at the top level. Manchester United were even said to be considering a bid in the region of €40 million for the defender ahead of the upcoming transfer window.
Interest in Balde is not new. United have previously been linked with the player, and reports last year suggested Barcelona had already turned down significant offers to keep him at the club.
Despite speculation that competition for places under coach Hansi Flick might open the door to a transfer, the latest indications are that the Spanish giants will resist any attempt to lure him away from Camp Nou.
For United, the news is likely to be disappointing. Balde had been viewed as a modern, high-energy full-back capable of transforming the left side of the team. His ability to overlap, deliver crosses and recover defensively fits the profile of the wing-backs demanded in many modern systems.
In addition, his age and experience at Barcelona make him a player with both immediate impact and long-term resale value — something the club’s recruitment strategy under INEOS has increasingly prioritised.
The rejection also highlights the challenges United face in the transfer market. Elite clubs such as Barcelona rarely sell key young players unless forced by financial pressure, and Balde is widely regarded as one of the club’s most promising defenders.
Losing the chance to sign him means Manchester United must now look elsewhere for a solution, potentially entering an already competitive market for top-class full-backs.
From a sporting perspective, missing out on Balde could slow United’s defensive rebuild. The squad has struggled with consistency in the full-back areas in recent seasons, and the arrival of a dynamic option like the Barcelona star might have added balance and attacking thrust.
Instead, the club’s recruitment team may need to pivot quickly to alternative targets as the summer window approaches.
ODEGAARD FEE SET
Reports circulating in the football media suggest that Arsenal could be open to selling captain and shock Manchester United target Martin Ødegaard this summer if an offer in the region of €100 million arrives, according to icfootballnews.
Ødegaard has been a central figure at ARSENAL since initially joining on loan from Real Madrid in January 2021 before completing a permanent move later that year. The Norwegian midfielder has since developed into one of the Premier League club’s most influential players, eventually being named club captain and playing a key role in Arsenal’s recent title challenges.
However, the latest transfer rumour suggests Arsenal’s hierarchy could consider a sale if a club is willing to meet a nine-figure valuation. According to the report, the club would only entertain offers close to €100 million, reflecting both Ødegaard’s importance to the team and the length of his current contract.
The playmaker has been widely praised for his creativity, leadership and consistency in midfield. Known for his vision, technical ability and pressing intensity, Ødegaard has become one of the standout performers in the Premier League over the past few seasons.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has repeatedly spoken about the midfielder’s importance to his project in north London. Since taking over in 2019, Arteta has built his side around a technically gifted and tactically disciplined core, with Ødegaard often acting as the creative hub of the team’s attacking play.
There is currently no indication from the club that they are actively seeking to sell their captain, and the rumour should be viewed cautiously. Arsenal are still competing at the highest level domestically and in Europe, and losing such an influential player would represent a major decision ahead of the next campaign.
Nevertheless, speculation surrounding high-profile players often intensifies as the summer transfer window approaches. Manchester United have been one of the clubs that have been linked with the player and could be willing to meet the asking price
Any club considering a move for Ødegaard would likely need to commit a substantial financial package, not only meeting *ARSENAL*’s reported €100 million valuation but also offering a competitive contract to lure the Norwegian away from the Emirates Stadium.
For now, the situation remains firmly in the realm of transfer speculation. Whether serious interest materialises could become clearer as the summer window draws closer and clubs finalise their recruitment plans.
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