Five urgent Manchester United transfer moves expected after £69m capture of Benjamin Sesko, as Chelsea and Aston Villa gain advantage.
Man Utd’s Transfer Turmoil Continues Under INEOS Leadership, Leaving Amorim in a Tough Spot

Man Utd’s Transfer Turmoil Continues Under INEOS Leadership, Leaving Amorim in a Tough Spot
Manchester United’s recruitment woes under the INEOS regime have placed new head coach Ruben Amorim under increasing pressure. With just weeks remaining in the current transfer window, the significant overhaul needed after last season’s failures is far from complete.
So far, Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha have been the standout additions, bringing much-needed depth and quality to United’s attacking midfield. Benjamin Sesko is also expected to arrive, having reportedly turned down a move to Newcastle in favor of a switch to Old Trafford.
The final hurdle in securing Sesko is agreeing on a fee with RB Leipzig. While United aim to seal the deal at €70m (£60m), Leipzig are pushing for €80m (£69m). Given how the club eventually conceded to Brentford’s valuation for Mbeumo, a similar outcome here wouldn’t be surprising.
United’s financial struggles are compounded by their inability to shift unwanted players. The plan to fund new arrivals through player sales has backfired, with overvalued squad members still occupying space. Their inflated £160m combined valuation has deterred buyers, derailing the strategy.
Now, it seems inevitable that more fringe players will follow Marcus Rashford—who recently joined Barcelona—out on loan, as a way to clear room. And unless there’s a dramatic change in fortunes, Manchester United may need to explore temporary deals to wrap up their remaining transfer objectives.
Here are five more deals United may pursue as the summer window winds down:
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Alejandro Garnacho to Chelsea (Loan + Option to Buy)
Forget any expectations of a £70m fee for Garnacho—United may now be open to letting him go on a temporary basis. Despite being one of their few players with real market value, poor form and attitude issues have dimmed his shine.
Chelsea have reportedly carried out background checks on Garnacho, suggesting serious interest. The situation mirrors last year’s loan move involving Jadon Sancho, with Chelsea intrigued despite an already crowded attack.
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Nick Pope to United (Loan Deal)
As Newcastle prepare to promote Aaron Ramsdale to first-choice goalkeeper, Nick Pope’s future is in doubt. United, unwilling to spend heavily on a backup keeper while prioritizing funds for Sesko, are considering Pope as a short-term solution.
While he’d offer reliability, it’s hard to see Pope replacing Andre Onana despite the latter’s recent struggles. If United want a long-term fix, they may be better off targeting a younger talent or someone like Emiliano Martínez.
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Jadon Sancho to Aston Villa (Loan)
United’s handling of Sancho has been clumsy, with Chelsea exploiting a clause to return him to Old Trafford for just £5m. Now back at square one, United may have to loan him out again to reduce their wage bill.
Aston Villa, who took Rashford on similar terms, could offer Sancho an escape route. A loan with an option for a free move in 2026 is a possibility—unless Dortmund re-enter the race after Sancho reportedly agreed to take a pay cut for a reunion.
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Antony to Real Betis (Loan with Option to Buy)
Despite being one of the costliest flops in United’s post-Ferguson era, Antony revived his stock with a productive spell at Betis. Though United once struggled to attract even £10m offers for him, his valuation has surged, even drawing interest from Bayern Munich.
He’s turned down two proposals already, but his return to Betis seems likely. The Spanish club can’t afford a full transfer, so another loan is the most realistic outcome.
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Douglas Luiz to United (Loan with Option to Buy)
With Morten Hjulmand and Joao Palhinha proving difficult to land—due to high fees and Spurs interest—United may pivot to a more pragmatic option: Douglas Luiz.
After a breakout season at Villa, Luiz joined Juventus but failed to impress. Now eager to return to England, he’s on United’s radar. While not the most glamorous name, he brings proven Premier League experience and could fill the defensive midfield gap if other targets fall through.