Man Utd Transfer News Today: Barca star targeted as Carrick reveals Sesko alternative

Updated: 21 Aug 2026 15:34 BST | 3 min read

Alejandro Balde, Man Utd Transfer News Today — © IMAGO

Robin Bairner | Chief Editor

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All the latest transfer news, rumours and gossip from Manchester United, with Alejandro Balde emerging as a candidate for the left-back role and a big update from Michael Carrick.

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Man Utd make contact over unsettled Barca star Balde

Alejandro Balde has emerged as a new left-back target for Man Utd, with Barcelona’s signing of Joao Cancelo prompting the Red Devils to sound out the possibility of a deal, Sport reports.

Cancelo has hooked up with Barca on a permanent basis after forcing Balde out of the team on a regular basis last season, and now this has opened up the possibility of a deal for the Spain international.

United are known to be in the market for a left-back, with Newcastle’s Lewis Hall still widely regarded as their top option.

Man Utd eye Tapsoba deal

Bayer Leverkusen’s Edmond Tapsoba has emerged as a fresh target for Man Utd in the heart of the defence, with Michael Carrick’s men told they will need to spend €50 million to prise the player away from the Bundesliga club.

TeamTalk reports that United have already made contact with the 27-year-old Burkina Faso international over the possibility of a move, but they face competition from Tottenham and Newcastle over a deal.

Tapsoba is highly regarded due to his ball-playing ability from the back and could offer part-time cover in the left-back role, despite primarily being a central defender.

Current ETV

Edmond Tapsoba

D (CL)

Bayer 04

Edmond Tapsoba

D (CL)

Bayer 04

ETV Range

€29.5M - €36M

Carrick speaks out on transfers

Carlos Baleba’s signing continues to dominate Man Utd’s transfer business, but there is no agreement in terms of a transfer fee with Brighton.

However, according to Luke Edwards, the deal will get done if Man Utd offer a financial package in the region of €80 million, with Brighton willing to sell at that price.

Michael Carrick was asked about what the club’s plans are and was tight-lipped in his response, explaining: “We’re just looking to strengthen the squad.

“We’re certainly working towards that... we’re trying to make the most of the opportunities to finish the window stronger than we went into it and we’re in a good way to doing that so far.”

He also suggested that Marcus Rashford is in line to be Benjamin Sesko’s backup in the No.9 role.

“Marcus has come back fantastically well. He’s enjoying his football, he looks fit, sharp and strong and ready to play. I’ve been delighted with him since he came back,” the Man Utd boss said.

“He can play through the middle and has done. I wouldn’t say it’s his number one position, but he can do that, and we’ve got forwards that can give us flexibility right across that front line.”

United receive unexpected cash windfall

Willy Kambwala’s move from Villarreal to Como will trigger a sell-on clause that could see United land a seven-figure sum.

The centre-back is set to move to the Serie A club for a fee in the region of €6.5-10m, with the Red Devils set to recoup 40% of any profit the Spaniards make, according to The Sun.

Current ETV

Willy Kambwala

D (C)

Villarreal

Willy Kambwala

D (C)

Villarreal

ETV Range

€3M - €4.5M

United sold Kambwala to Villarreal in 2024 for a base price of €5.5m and could now make an unexpected €1.8m in the best-case scenario.

Remarkably, this would be the fourth-highest fee that the Manchester side has received this summer behind Rasmus Hojlund, Radek Vittek and Mason Greenwood, whose fee also arrived in the form of a sell-on.