LIVE 2025: FINAL 2025 UPDATE ON MAN UTD’S PURSUIT OF AZ ALKMAAR STAR KEES SMIT
Man Utd target Kees Smit and Manu Kone for a 2026 midfield overhaul. Discover why the Jude Bellingham rumours were laughed off.
Man United's got their eyes on a top midfield prospect, but they'll have to fight off other teams to get him. Word is, they've already got a deal lined up for a Serie A player.
The Red Devils are likely to focus a lot on the midfield in 2026, especially since there might be some players leaving.
Because of that, Man Utd might jump into the market in January if any of their main targets become available, whether they're playing in England or somewhere else.
Man Utd Wants Dutch Star
On the midfield front, United is supposedly really interested in Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar. But if they try to get the 19-year-old, they'll face some tough competition.
Smit's been playing great for AZ this season, with a couple of goals and five assists in 27 games.
There are a ton of rumours about where he might end up, with Real Madrid, Barcelona, and Liverpool all said to be after him.
But, according to The Athletic, Man Utd is also in the mix, even though AZ doesn't want to sell him in the middle of the season. Still, he could leave at the end of the season if someone offers around £52m (€59.6m / $70m).
Smit came up through AZ's youth system and has played 58 games for them, scoring four goals and getting seven assists.
He's also played four times for the Netherlands Under-21 team and is trying to get his first senior cap.
Smit also fits what Man United is looking for in new players—young, talented guys.
€65m Midfielder 'Coming to Man Utd'
Man United might switch gears and go after Roma's Manu Kone to add a new midfielder. A new report backs up what an Italian journalist said before.
Apparently, Kone's name came up when United was talking about selling Joshua Zirkzee to Roma.
Reporter Francesca Teodori said that she's been told by several people that Kone will leave Roma in June and sign with Man United.
She isn't sure if it has something to do with the Zirkzee deal. He might have been added as a counterpart.
Regardless, Kone really wants that to happen—joining United in June.”
CaughtOffside added even more, with United holding interest in the Frenchman, who is valued at around €60-65 million. He could be a perfect fit, being pursued as an alternative to the likes of Conor Gallagher, Ruben Neves, Elliot Anderson, and Carlos Baleba.
No Way Bellingham Is Leaving for Man Utd
People at Real Madrid are laughing off the idea that Jude Bellingham might leave. Some reports in Spain said Man Utd was ready to spend crazy money to sign him.
Around Christmas, there were wild rumours that the Red Devils were going to make a huge offer of €200m (£174m, $235m) to bring Bellingham to Old Trafford.
However, after talking to people at Real and those close to the player, they said those reports were totally false and laughed them off.
Someone confirmed that Bellingham will not be leaving Real Madrid anytime soon.
He is happy at the club; the club is happy with him. Frankly, it is laughable for anyone to suggest that he could be leaving in 2026.”
Also, Conor Gallagher is set to move away from the club after speaking with Diego Simeone, and Man Utd is one of three teams in the Premier League interested.
Man Utd might get an offer to sell Manuel Ugarte, with Fabrizio Romano saying his replacement could cost around £100m.
Meanwhile, Jadon Sancho has been told he won't play for United again, even though he's getting some praise while on loan at Aston Villa.
GARETH BARRY URGES MANCHESTER UNITED TO SIGN ELLIOT ANDERSON FOR £100M
Gareth Barry identifies Elliot Anderson as the ideal Casemiro replacement as the Brazilian prepares to leave Man Utd.
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Gareth Barry, the former Premier League midfielder, thinks Manchester United should target Elliot Anderson to take Casemiro’s place. Casemiro, now 34, already said he’s leaving Old Trafford when his contract ends this summer.
United’s decision not to extend Casemiro’s deal fits with their plan to shake up the squad. They paid Real Madrid an initial £60 million for him in 2022, and with add-ons, the deal reached £70 million. Casemiro’s on big wages around £300,000 a week, which gets closer to £350,000 if United make the Champions League. There’s also uncertainty about Manuel Ugarte’s future. With both potentially on the way out, plenty of names are being floated as replacements.
Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, and Adam Wharton are all in the conversation, but Barry sees Anderson as the best option.
Talking to BOYLE Sports, Barry explained, “Manchester United will definitely be searching for someone to fill Casemiro’s shoes. Anderson isn’t the same kind of player, and there’s a big age difference, too. What he brings is pretty unique.
“I really rate Elliot Anderson. If you’re a United scout, you’re talking about him. Off the ball, there aren’t many better. He presses, he shuts down space, and he’s great at winning the ball back. Plus, he can play forward too.
“That’s why Thomas Tuchel starts him for England over some big names, and why he could easily start at the World Cup. I’m sure he’s getting discussed in various boardrooms, not just at Manchester United.
“If a move’s going to happen, it’s better to get it over the line quickly. It just makes everything smoother for both clubs and the player, especially with a big tournament coming up.”
Barry added, “No one wants uncertainty hanging over Anderson while he’s focused on England at the World Cup. It doesn’t help anyone. And if he has a standout tournament, his price could easily go up.
“So if everyone agrees it’s time for a move, getting the deal sorted before the World Cup just makes sense.”
Even so, Nottingham Forest won’t be keen to let Anderson go. Since joining Newcastle in 2024, he’s become a vital part of their midfield. Forest supposedly set its price at £100 million, but their relegation fight could change things. Right now, Vitor Pereira’s squad sits 16th in the table, just three points clear of the drop zone with seven games to play. names and
FA CHARGES HARRY MAGUIRE FOR "IMPROPER BEHAVIOR" FOLLOWING COSTLY BOURNEMOUTH DISMISSAL
Michael Carrick’s side faces a defensive crisis as Harry Maguire is charged by the FA for improper conduct.
Harry Maguire has been charged by the Football Association over his conduct following the red card he received in Manchester United’s 2-2 draw against Bournemouth.
The defender was sent off after officials judged that he pulled back Evanilson inside the penalty area during their Premier League meeting last month. Maguire challenged the decision with both referee Stuart Atwell and fourth official Matt Donohue once VAR confirmed the call.
That penalty allowed Junior Kroupi to score the equaliser, helping Bournemouth claw back a point against Michael Carrick’s side.
According to an FA statement, Maguire faces charges relating to improper behaviour and/or the use of abusive or insulting language towards the fourth official after his dismissal. He has until April 2 to respond to these allegations.
As things stand, Maguire is due to serve a one-match ban for the red card, which would rule him out of Manchester United's game against Leeds at Old Trafford on April 13. If his ban is extended following this charge, he could also miss the clash with Chelsea on April 18, an encounter that could be crucial, given United sit third and hold a seven-point cushion over sixth-placed Chelsea in the battle for Champions League spots.
Earlier, Daily Mail Sport reported that Manchester United lodged a formal complaint with the PGMOL after the Bournemouth draw. The club were particularly frustrated over a denied second penalty, where Amad Diallo appeared to be brought down in the box while they led 1-0. Bournemouth then equalised through Ryan Christie in the ensuing play, and a VAR review did not overturn the decision, which may have swung momentum considerably.
Inside the United camp, there’s a sense that Maguire’s foul, which led to Bournemouth's second equaliser, mirrored the unpunished challenge on Diallo involving Adrien Truffert. That comparison fuels their belief that some decisions during the game didn’t go their way.
