Transfer 1+1: Manchester City midfield veteran contacts Saudi team Manchester United may sell cancer for funds

Blue Moon midfielder may leave the team

Latest report says that Manchester City midfielder Matteo Kovacic has been contacted by Saudi professional league clubs. The upcoming 2025-26 Premier League season is about to kick off soon, with Manchester City playing their last friendly against Palermo on Saturday. Guardiola has received strong support this summer, just like in the January transfer window this year, hoping to get the title back from Liverpool. Manchester City has signed 6 players in this window, and the arrival of new players may cause some main players to leave the team, including midfield veteran Kovacic. However, Romano said that despite the attention of the Saudi league, the Croatian player is still focused on Manchester City and the club's coaching staff also hopes that he can stay. Manchester City, which has won six league titles in the past 8 seasons, is obviously unwise to ignore the possibility of their winning next season. One of the reasons Guardiola failed to win the league title in 2024-25 is the absence of core player Rodri – who missed most of the season with a serious knee injury. Although the Spanish player has returned and has played in full preseason so far, it often takes time for the player to return to his best form after a long absence. Guardiola sometimes put Kovacic as the center of the midfield during Rodri's absence, but it's hard for him to replicate the Ballon d'Or winner's influence in the first team. The 31-year-old Croatian may be past his peak and if he leaves, City still needs a more capable replacement. However, as the season is about to begin, it may be difficult for them to convince other clubs to sell their core players for a reasonable price. Reindez joined England from AC Milan for £46.5 million and although he is a competent No. 8 player, he is relatively lacking in the deeper midfield position. The Dutchman is a dynamic presence at least in the midfield and will likely become a valuable contributor next season. Nico Gonzalez was signed in the January transfer window and was able to play in the No. 6 but found it difficult to win Guardiola's trust. In addition, Gundogan has extensive experience in deep midfield positions, but as he gets older, he has struggled to deal with the pace of the Premier League.

The Red Devils are interested in selling another striker

It is reported that Manchester United forward Sancho has become the transfer target for Inter Milan when looking for an attacker. The Red Devils will have their last pre-season friendly against Fiorentina on August 9, while their first Premier League match will be against Arsenal on August 17. Coach Amorin may get good news before the 2025-26 season starts as his team appears to be winning over the Leipzig Red Bull striker Benjamin Sesco. If the Portuguese head coach successfully signs Cesco, it is no surprise that the club sells some unpopular stars to raise funds for further transfers. Italian media reported that Inter Milan is seriously considering contacting Manchester United with Sancho. Sancho has one year left on his contract and the transfer fee may be less than £22m, but the newspaper added that the Serie A club could rejoin the battle against Atlanta striker Lukeman. Once Sesco is signed from Leipzig, United's transfer spending could be close to £200 million this summer, but it's unclear whether they can make more deals. Amorin’s team failed to qualify for the European Cup in the 2024-25 season, while co-owner Sir Ratcliff has implemented several unpopular cost-cutting measures. The Red Devils have signed Mattus Cunya and Brian Mbemo to successfully transform the front line, but considering that Casemiro and Ugat perform poorly, there may be risks if they fail to sign a midfielder. It was reported on Wednesday that Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba was linked to Manchester United, but it remains to be seen whether United can bring the 21-year-old to Old Trafford. Sancho is likely to be one of the many strikers leaving Manchester United this summer window, and Marcus Rashford is currently playing for Barcelona on loan. Winter Anthony was loaned to Real Betis last season and his future is almost certainly not in England, while Garnacho's relationship with Amorin has broken down. Perhaps Amade Diallo can rotate to the front line regularly, especially when the team needs to prioritize other positions, it seems difficult to make sense to sign another striker.