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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.

LIVE 2025: Final 2025 Update On Man Utd’s Pursuit Of AZ Alkmaar Star Kees Smit
AZ Alkmaar Reject £52M Bids For Kees Smit Amid Man Utd Interest

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.

THOMAS TUCHEL AND CARLO ANCELOTTI RULE OUT MANCHESTER UNITED MANAGER JOB VACANCY

Michael Carrick remains unbeaten as Man United manager! Read about his 2-0 win over City and why Tuchel and Ancelotti are ruled out.

top-news
Manchester United’s Interim Boss Is Rewriting The Future Today

Manchester United are still searching for a new permanent manager after Ruben Amorim’s exit, even though Michael Carrick’s start as caretaker has turned some heads. Carlo Ancelotti’s already made it clear he’s not interested, and Thomas Tuchel just committed his future to England.

Carrick stepped in after Amorim got sacked last month, and so far, he’s done well. If the good results keep coming, United might offer him the job full-time, but they’re still looking at other options.

Tuchel was in the running for a while, but on Thursday, he signed a new deal with the England national team. He’s staying put until after Euro 2028.

Then there’s Ancelotti. He’s coaching Brazil now and looks set to extend his contract there soon. United reportedly had him on their list, but last year, the Italian pretty much ruled out returning to club football unless Real Madrid came calling.

Back in September 2025, Ancelotti spoke to L’Equipe about his future. He didn’t leave much room for doubt and said there’s only one European side he’d consider managing again.

“Real Madrid is the only team I will accept managing after Brazil,” Ancelotti said. So, with that and his new Brazil deal, United can cross his name off for good.

So, who takes over after this season? No one knows yet. Carrick, since stepping back in January, hasn’t lost a single match.

He kicked things off by leading United to a 2-0 win over Manchester City can’t ask for a better start. After that, they beat Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham, and then grabbed a last-minute draw against West Ham.

This unbeaten run has fans and pundits calling for Carrick to get the job permanently. After the win over Fulham, people wanted to know what he thought about his future. Carrick kept it honest: “Nothing’s changed, to be honest.

“I know what I’m here to do and what’s expected of me. We want success, and I want the club to be successful down the line—whether that’s with me or someone else.

“I can’t control what happens next. All I can do is try to make the team better and make United stronger. A handful of good results doesn’t change that. If it does, something’s off.

“You can’t just react to a few games, good or bad. It’s about building something solid.”

THE £70M HOMECOMING: WHY MAN UNITED DREAM OF RE-SIGNING SERIE A MVP SCOTT MCTOMINAY

Manchester United wants Scott McTominay back! Discover the £70m price tag and why Tottenham is eyeing Michael Carrick for manager.

top-news
Napoli Demand €80m As United Prepare Bold Scott McTominay Transfer Offer

Manchester United want Scott McTominay back at Old Trafford, and it’s no secret what it’ll cost them. Meanwhile, Tottenham are eyeing a bold move for a new manager.

McTominay left United in August 2024, heading to Napoli for £25 million even though he’d just finished his best season yet, scoring some big goals and keeping Erik ten Hag in the job. Since then, he’s thrived in Italy. Last season, he helped Napoli win the Serie A title and even picked up the league’s MVP award. No wonder Premier League clubs are paying attention. United want him back, and they’re at the front of the queue.

The word from Italy is United “dream of a reunion. McTominay’s happy in Naples, but he’s got unfinished business at United and wants to prove his critics wrong. Napoli’s chief, Leonardo Giammarioli, admitted he’s worried about losing his star midfielder if a massive offer comes in. He even compared it to Nick Woltemade’s exit from Stuttgart.

Fraser Fletcher, our transfer guy, broke the story back in November that United and Arsenal are both looking at McTominay, and Spurs are interested too. But McTominay’s not leaving for just any club. He wants the right project. And it won’t be cheap. Napoli want at least €80m (£70m/$95m) if they’re going to let their 29-year-old star go.

For United, McTominay is one of several targets as they look to rebuild their midfield. Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, and Adam Wharton are also on the list.

Now, about Michael Carrick: United loves what he’s done as interim boss. But they’re not the only ones. Graeme Bailey says Tottenham are seriously considering Carrick for their permanent manager job. Carrick played for both United and Spurs, and Tottenham already thought about him before hiring Thomas Frank last summer. His quick adjustment to Premier League management hasn’t gone unnoticed.

Spurs have brought in Igor Tudor as interim manager, but Carrick’s in the mix to take over this summer. Of course, it depends on whether United decide to keep him themselves. Sources say United are really impressed with his style and attitude, though they’re still weighing their options.

United aren’t just busy with managers; they’re scouting too. This weekend, they’ll have people watching Inter Milan’s Federico Dimarco and Juventus’ Pierre Kalulu in the Derby d’Italia. Kalulu’s been all over the pitch for Juve, playing centre-back, right-back, and wing-back. Dimarco, on the other hand, has been electric for Inter at left wing-back, with six goals and 13 assists in 31 games. Both United and Arsenal are watching closely.

Dimarco might be easier to sign than Kalulu because of his contract. Inter want to extend his deal, but for now, it runs out in June 2027. United have been dreaming about him as their new left-back.

On another note, England rugby captain Maro Itoje spoke out against Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent comments on immigration. “I disagree with the terminology and sentiments of what he said,” Itoje told the BBC. “I do not believe that immigrants have colonised Great Britain. That’s just not true, and it’s the wrong thing to say.

“I’m a proud Londoner, proud to play for and captain England. That’s one of my greatest accomplishments. But I’m also of Nigerian descent, and I’m proud of that heritage too.

“Honestly, I think Ratcliffe’s wording was clumsy, and his numbers were wrong. I saw he apologised, and I respect people who can admit when they’ve messed up and say sorry. So, credit to him for that.”

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