Top News

7 June 2026

Manchester United are gearing up for one of the club’s most significant transfer windows in recent memory, with sporting director Jason Wilcox set to oversee operations backed by what could be a record-breaking budget.

The Red Devils’ main focus is a complete restructuring of Michael Carrick’s midfield, which is expected to lose Casemiro. Manuel Ugarte’s disappointing displays this season suggest he might also be on his way out of Old Trafford.

United have already secured a £39 million deal for Atalanta’s energetic midfielder Ederson, while negotiations continue for West Ham and Portugal’s promising talent Mateus Fernandes. A bold attempt to sign Sandro Tonali is also progressing, though Newcastle United’s £100 million valuation for the 26-year-old Italian remains a major stumbling block.

The Manchester club remain in contention for Nottingham Forest’s star man Elliot Anderson, although there is increasing belief within Old Trafford that the midfielder could end up joining Manchester City after the World Cup concludes next month. There is still a small possibility that a high-profile move for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni could materialise, considering the uncertainty surrounding the Spanish giants this year.

However, one player United are poised to miss out on is Aleksandar Stankovic, after Inter Milan activated their buy-back clause to bring the highly-rated 20-year-old midfielder back to the San Siro.

Stankovic has enjoyed an outstanding campaign with Club Brugge, playing a crucial role in leading the Belgian side to their 20th league title, thanks to his dynamic performances at the core of Ivan Leko’s team.

Despite being primarily a defensive midfielder, the Serbia Under-21 international recorded nine goals and five assists across all competitions, showcasing his ability to influence the game in both defensive and attacking phases.

Known for his exceptional work rate and stamina, Stankovic featured in 55 matches across a demanding season at the Jan Breydel Stadium, underlining his consistency and endurance.

One scout even drew comparisons between the young Serb and Arsenal’s Premier League-winning midfielder Declan Rice, saying: “He’s top quality, not too different from a young Declan Rice in style. You can tell he’s inherited his class from his father. This lad is a real talent.”

Given his performances, it’s no surprise that the Italian-born Serbian midfielder had caught the eye of Manchester United as well as several elite clubs such as Arsenal, Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, Atletico Madrid, and Borussia Dortmund.

Inter Milan, however, always had the advantage, having included a “buy-back clause worth just over £20 million” when they sold Stankovic to Club Brugge last summer. According to reports, the Nerazzurri have now exercised that clause.

Although this development was expected, reports suggest that United “remained interested” in the midfielder and had scouts “closely monitoring his performances in Belgium,” envisioning a potential partnership with Kobbie Mainoo in the heart of their midfield.

It is understood that Stankovic was “seriously tempted by the idea of playing in England,” and the interest from Old Trafford was “viewed favourably by both the player and his representatives.”

Nevertheless, the chance to return to the San Siro – the iconic ground where his father, Inter legend Dejan Stankovic, built his legacy – proved “too powerful to resist” for the youngster. Dejan Stankovic has even stated that his “phenomenal” son could surpass his own achievements.

Manchester United are expected to keep a close watch on Stankovic’s development in Milan, as he possesses a unique combination of strength, intelligence, and technical skill that few midfielders can match – reminiscent of Arsenal’s midfield powerhouse.