Manchester United Transfer News Roundup: Red Devils eyeing Atalanta ace; club open to Bruno Fernandes renewal, and more - June 8, 2024
Manchester United are working to improve their squad after a disappointing 2023-24 campaign under Erik ten Hag. The Dutchman could only manage an eighth-placed finish in the Premier League, and his future at Old Trafford remains up in the air.
Meanwhile, the Red Devils are interested in Atalanta midfielder Teun Koopmeiners. Elsewhere, the English giants are willing to extend captain Bruno Fernandes' stay.
On that note, here's a look at the key Manchester United transfer stories as on June 8, 2024:
Manchester United eyeing Teun Koopmeiners
Manchester United have set their sights on Teun Koopmeiners, according to Calciomercato.com. The Red Devils are looking for a new midfielder this summer, with multiple changes expected in the middle of the park before the new campaign.
Casemiro's future remains up in the air, with the Brazilian expected to leave amid interest from the Middle East. Meanwhile, Christian Eriksen is no longer a first-team regular and could also be on his way out this year.
The Premier League giants have identified Koopmeiners as a candidate to improve their midfield. The Dutchman enjoyed a fabulous season with Atalanta, registering 15 goals and seven assists from 51 games across competitions. He played a starring role in their UEFA Europa League triumph as well.
Liverpool are hot on his heels as they look to rebuild under Arne Slot, as per Tutto Juve. However, Manchester United have entered the race and are pushing to secure his services. The Premier League duo are apparently ready to offer £51-60 million to get their man this year.
However, the Italian side are likely to demand a higher fee for their prized asset, especially if he enjoys an impressive Euro 2024 campaign. The 26-year-old is under contract till 2027.
Interestingly, the Red Devils enjoy a cordial relationship with Atalanta, thanks to the recent purchases of Rasmus Hojlund and Amad Diallo. As such, they could have an advantage over their Merseyside rivals in the race for Koopmeiners.
Red Devils open to Bruno Fernandes renewal
Manchester United are planning to tie Bruno Fernandes down to a new deal, according to Football Insider. The Portuguese midfielder has been among the club's best signings in the last decade.
He arrived at Old Trafford from Sporting in January 2020 and has been an indispensable part of the starting XI. Despite the Red Devils' struggles in the 2023-24 campaign, the 29-year-old managed 15 goals and 13 assists in 48 appearances across competitions.
His efforts have earned him admirers at Bayern Munich and Barcelona, but it appears that Fernandes isn't going anywhere. The Manchester United skipper is under contract till 2026 and remains eager to stay and achieve further success at Old Trafford.
The Red Devils acknowledge Fernandes' efforts and are willing to end speculation regarding his future. The 29-year-old is one of the best paid players at the club but could be in line for a contract upgrade.
Jonny Evans wants Erik ten Hag stay
Jonny Evans reckons Erik ten Hag deserves to continue in charge of the first team at Manchester United. New minority owners INEOS are carrying out end-of-season assessment at Old Trafford, and the Dutch manager's future is also a topic of discussion.
Ten Hag won the FA Cup in the 2023-24 season, but his team finished eighth in the league. INEOS have already implemented multiple changes behind the scenes at the club, and a new manager could also be on the agenda.
However, speaking to the press as cited by The Peoples Person, Evans was full of praise for Ten Hag.
“Yeah, of course (if Ten Hag deserves to stay). I think he is a top class manager. The thing that keeps me going is learning about the game and I learnt an awful lot last season with different styles of playing the game, and I learnt a lot of things from the manager Ten Hag, so that was quite an eye opener for me. I feel like he has got some great ideas about the game of football,” said Evans.
Former Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel remains heavily linked with the Red Devils at the moment.