Man Utd transfer latest: Four key players Reds are chasing including 'surprise' striker

Manchester United’s season has been a rollercoaster, with the Red Devils languishing in 14th place in the Premier League but surging in the Europa League semi-finals, thanks to Harry Maguire’s unorthodox brilliance against Athletic Bilbao.

As the summer transfer window looms on June 1, 2025, split into two parts due to the Club World Cup, United are poised for a squad overhaul under Ruben Amorim and co-owner Jim Ratcliffe.

From Matheus Cunha’s imminent arrival to Jonathan Tah’s potential free-agent coup, here’s a comprehensive 1,500-word roundup of United’s latest transfer developments, blending breaking news, fan sentiment, and critical analysis.

The headline story is United’s near-finalized £62.5 million deal for Wolverhampton Wanderers’ striker Matheus Cunha, a versatile forward with 15 goals and six assists in 2024-25.

Described as a “done deal” by FourFourTwo, the transfer is in its “final stages,” with United aiming to secure Cunha before the window opens, per Daily Mail.

Fabrizio Romano, via United In Focus, reports “very positive conversations,” with Cunha set to earn £200,000 a week, doubling his current wages. His cryptic social media post, “Something’s coming,” with a winking emoji, fueled speculation, per Mirror.

Cunha’s enthusiasm, despite United’s lack of Champions League football, is a coup, as Sky Sports’ Kaveh Solhekol notes, “Cunha loves Manchester United”.

However, Wolves’ Vitor Pereira insists Cunha remains “committed,” per 90min, and rival interest from Newcastle, Arsenal, and Saudi clubs, who could trigger his £64 million release clause, adds pressure. United’s urgency reflects their dire attacking output—38 goals in 33 matches—per The Athletic.

Paul Scholes, however, warns that United’s “dismal environment” could hinder Cunha, per Mirror, a sentiment echoed by fans like @kimischilling on X, who highlight Profitability and Sustainability Rules (PSR) constraints requiring sales.

United are also chasing Bayer Leverkusen’s Jonathan Tah, a 28-year-old German centre-back whose contract expires in June 2025.

Described as “game-changing” by the Manchester Evening News, Tah’s 33 appearances and three goals this season make him a perfect fit for Amorim’s 3-4-2-1, per Manchester Evening News.

With Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans set to leave as free agents, United have held “initial talks” with Tah’s camp, aiming to outmaneuver Bayern Munich and Barcelona, per Bild.

Tah’s aerial dominance could address United’s 11 set-piece goals conceded, a glaring weakness, per The Athletic. Alan Shearer called him a “top-class operator,” per the Mirror, while @UtdFaithfuls on X dubbed him a “statement signing”.

However, Tah’s preference for Champions League football and Bayern’s lingering interest pose risks, per Bild. United’s potential £100 million Europa League windfall, per Mirror, could bolster their case, but PSR demands sales like Casemiro, per Sky Sports.

United have secured 18-year-old French striker Enzo Kana-Biyik on a free transfer from Le Havre, beating Monaco and Marseille, per Mirror.

The deal, finalized after Kana-Biyik traveled to Manchester, includes a loan to INEOS-owned FC Lausanne-Sport for 2025-26, per the Manchester Evening News. Journalist Benjamin Quarez confirmed the move, noting United’s long-term vision, per TeamTalk.

Kana-Biyik’s signing reflects United’s focus on youth, akin to Bendito Mantato’s first professional contract, per Fabrizio Romano.

While not an immediate fix for United’s attack, his arrival signals Ratcliffe’s strategy to build for the future, per Metro UK. Fans on X, like @SkySportsPL, praise the “smart” move, but @kimischilling warns PSR limits could delay further youth investments.

United have emerged as frontrunners for Ipswich Town’s Liam Delap, a 21-year-old former Manchester City academy star, per TeamTalk.

Delap, who demands a 500% wage increase, tops United’s striker shortlist over Viktor Gyokeres, Victor Osimhen, and Benjamin Sesko, per @ChrisWheelerDM.

City’s buyback clause complicates matters, but United’s interest hinges on Europa League success for budget flexibility, per TeamTalk.

Delap’s nine goals in 2024-25 make him a promising addition, but his high wage demands and City’s leverage raise doubts, per Sky Sports.

Fans like @Utd_Forever7 on X see Delap as a “gamble worth taking,” but Scholes’s warning about United’s toxic environment applies here too.

Marcus Rashford’s future dominates exit rumors. On loan at Aston Villa, Rashford’s season-ending hamstring injury has him back at United for medical checks, per Mirror.

Despite four goals and six assists, his £40 million permanent move to Villa is uncertain, with Rashford eyeing Barcelona and willing to take a pay cut, per BBC Sport.

His agent’s proximity to Manchester City’s transfer chiefs sparked speculation, but Barcelona remains his preference, per Mirror. @SkySportsNews notes Rashford hasn’t ruled out staying, but PSR pressures favor a sale.

Antony, on loan at Real Betis, has impressed with three goals, prompting Betis legend Joaquin to joke about “kidnapping” him to stay, per Mirror.

However, Betis may struggle to meet United’s £15 million option-to-buy, per BBC Sport. David de Gea’s critique of United’s handling of Antony underscores deeper issues, per Mirror. United also plan to sell Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, and Casemiro, per @UtdFaithfuls, to fund incomings.

United remain interested in Sporting CP’s Viktor Gyokeres, but his Champions League preference and Arsenal’s lead dim hopes, per Goal. Napoli’s Victor Osimhen, a £63 million target, is slipping away to PSG, per Mirror.

Real Madrid’s Rodrygo Goes (€80m) and Lyon’s Rayan Cherki are linked, but deals are unlikely without Europa League funds, per CaughtOffside. Bournemouth’s Antoine Semenyo is a wildcard, with United facing Liverpool and Tottenham competition, per @SkySportsNews.

Ratcliffe’s reported plan to sell OGC Nice to Saudi investors, per Daily Star, aims to fund a full United takeover, easing PSR constraints. His cost-cutting—450 job cuts, ticket price hikes—has sparked fan protests, per BBC Sport.

Ralf Rangnick’s scathing verdict on United’s £750m spend since 2022, per Manchester Evening News, highlights persistent structural flaws, a view echoed by @Record_Sport on X.

United’s transfer strategy blends ambition with pragmatism. Cunha and Tah address immediate needs, while Kana-Biyik signals long-term planning.

However, Delap’s wage demands and Osimhen’s likely PSG move expose United’s weakened market pull without Champions League football.

Rashford’s exit, while financially necessary, risks alienating fans, as @Utd_Forever7 notes. Amorim’s Europa League success, potentially against Tottenham with a 42-hour rest advantage, per Mirror, is pivotal for budget and allure.