Manchester United are exploring several centre-forward options as they look to add another striker who can support and compete with Benjamin Šeško next season.
The Slovenian forward joined United from RB Leipzig in a major deal last summer in a package was worth €76.5m plus €8.5m in bonuses.
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However, United appear to believe they still need another proven attacking option to complete the rebuild.
Victor Osimhen is viewed as the dream target, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.
The problem is obvious: the Nigerian striker would cost a huge transfer fee, making him the most exciting but also the most difficult option on the list.
Cheaper and smarter alternatives considered
Because of that, United are also looking at more flexible options.
Jean-Philippe Mateta brings Premier League experience, physicality and reliability.
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He may not have the same star power as Osimhen, but he would be a practical signing who already understands English football.
Dusan Vlahovic is another interesting name because his Juventus future remains uncertain.
United’s striker search looks less like a panic buy and more like a squad-balance decision.
They do not just need another goalscorer. They need the right profile, someone who can lift Šeško, add depth and make the attack more ruthless.
With Šeško largely expected to be the number one choice attacker, the Red Devils need someone who would have no issue in acting as the back-up option at times.
Newcastle United have been exploring alternatives to the Victor Munoz transfer as Liverpool are now understood to have won the race for the Osasuna winger.
Although our sources have confirmed the Magpies entered into advanced talks over signing Munoz, there was also some hesitation about meeting the 22-year-old’s release clause, while Liverpool were happy to pay it and moved quickly to do so.
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Newcastle have had other options in mind for some time, with Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Martinelli, and Cody Gakpo all understood to have been discussed.
As reported recently, Tottenham are interested in Gakpo and could make a move, but Newcastle have also been hovering, and the Munoz blow could lead to them accelerating their interest.
Newcastle ask about Arsenal duo
Some sources have also suggested to me that conversations have already happened between Newcastle and Arsenal as they look for information on the availability of Trossard and Martinelli.
Martinelli is also available, however, so Newcastle have been keen to gather information on how much the Brazilian could cost.
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“Newcastle have been exploring other options, they weren’t putting all their eggs into the Munoz basket,” one source explained.
“They’ve asked Arsenal about Trossard and Martinelli. They also like Cody Gakpo, but the current feeling seems to be that Martinelli could be cheaper.
“Nothing’s advanced yet, and Newcastle won’t rush this. They weren’t entirely convinced about meeting Munoz’s release clause, and they’re prepared to wait to find a deal they’re fully convinced strengthens their squad whilst still representing good value for money.”
As I reported earlier today, Woltemade has interest from Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, and Aston Villa.
The Germany international has struggled to settle under Eddie Howe and the club would be prepared to sanction his sale after just one season.
Even if that doesn’t happen, Newcastle’s plan is to make changes up front again this summer after Woltemade and Yoane Wissa failed to adequately replace Alexander Isak after his move to Liverpool.
Newcastle United have been the focus of a lot of the biggest transfer stories so far this summer as Anthony Gordon has left for Barcelona while interest in Sandro Tonali, Tino Livramento, and Lewis Hall continues.
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It’s no secret that Woltemade struggled in his first season for Newcastle, and my understanding is that there have been some differences in opinion between himself and Eddie Howe about his best position and role in the team.
Nick Woltemade surely leaving Newcastle after difficult debut season
Woltemade’s spell at Newcastle is now seen as being highly likely to be a short one, and my understanding is that Borussia Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, and Aston Villa are all keeping an eye on his situation.
There have not been any formal contacts yet, but there’s the sense that these clubs could make approaches soon, with Newcastle open to offers.
“Nick Woltemade is expected to leave,” one source with ties to the agents industry told me. “Dortmund, Atletico Madrid, and Villa are interested, and Newcastle will listen to offers. One issue, though, is that they’re keen on a permanent sale for around €65m, but for now it’s probably more likely that clubs will seek a loan with an option to buy.”
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Big clubs like Bayern Munich were keen on Woltemade before he made the move to Newcastle, which was seen as a real coup for the Magpies at the time.
It could still be that the 24-year-old can revive his career, but it’s unlikely to happen for him in Howe’s tactical set-up.
“Woltemade’s camp have not been entirely happy with how his development’s been handled under Howe,” one source said.
“The manager has given slightly mixed messages about his best position, initially saying he sees him as a number 9 but then using him in midfield. I’m just not sure there’s a future there without a more fixed tactical plan and proper clarity about what the manager wants from him.”
It’s worth noting that other sources played this down and simply suggested that Woltemade’s struggles have not been anything abnormal and can mostly be put down to adapting to a new league and country.
Almost everyone I’ve spoken to, however, thinks it’s inevitable that they’ll go their separate ways this summer.
The Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer story is emerging as one of the hottest potential deals of the summer, with Lille’s stance and the player’s own preferences making the race for his signature increasingly complex.
Bouaddi has already caught the eye at the World Cup 2026 as he ran the show from midfield for Morocco in their impressive 1-1 draw against Brazil in their opening group game.
Since then, speculation linking the teenager with Arsenal has increased, and I’ve received some information that might be of interest.
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Arsenal have indeed held initial talks with those close to Bouaddi, with Andrea Berta moving some time ago to try to position the Gunners as early favourites for this deal.
Ayyoub Bouaddi transfer suitors
Bouaddi is, however, also a target for Chelsea, as reported before, and sources have also mentioned Liverpool, Manchester United, and, as has been widely reported elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain.
Lille are understood to be open to a sale and have long expected that they could lose the 18-year-old this summer, with strong performances at the World Cup giving them an opportunity to raise their asking price.
Sources with ties to the agents industry tell me that Lille could be looking for around £70-80m, but that may not be settled just yet as formal club-to-club negotiations have not started at the time of writing.
There’s also some truth to the widely-reported claim that Lille are keen to avoid selling Bouaddi to Ligue 1 rivals PSG, but sources close to the French champions insist that won’t put them off pursuing the deal for such a highly-rated talent, who is seen as a perfect stylistic fit for Luis Enrique’s project.
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How Arsenal are approaching Ayyoub Bouaddi deal
Berta has done a lot of work on this potential deal for Arsenal, but it’s also a big part of his strategy to reach an agreement on personal terms with a number of targets before deciding on proceeding with club-to-club contacts.
I’m reliably told that, for now, Arsenal do not yet have a full agreement on personal terms with Bouaddi, even if there’s the sense that initial talks have been positive.
“Arsenal have been pursuing the Bouaddi deal strongly,” one source said. “No agreement on personal terms yet, but Berta and his team are feeling positive. I’d expect Bouaddi to be the top target, but work has also been done on Manu Kone, Sandro Tonali, and others.”
So, although the links with Arsenal are strongest at the moment, I wouldn’t rule out the likes of Chelsea and PSG just yet, as Bouaddi is going to continue to be seen as hot property on the market.
AFC will also keep other options open, so this might not be the speediest deal, as we’ll have to see how things progress with other targets as well.
France have started their FIFA World Cup 2026 campaign with a convincing 3-1 win over Senegal.
Kylian Mbappé scored twice to hand his team a delightful start to the tournament, and they will be hoping to build on this and go all the way this time around.
France looked quite cagey in the first half and struggled to cope with Senegal’s pace and directness in transition. However, they gained control in the second half and completely outplayed their opposition.
France won the World Cup in 2018 and finished as runners-up in 2022. Didier Deschamps has a lot to be positive about after what he has seen from his team tonight, and he will certainly hope they can go all the way.
Here at CaughtOffside, we look at how the French players fared in a tricky game against Senegal.
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VICTOIREEEEEE !!
Nos Bleus s’imposent pour leur entrée dans la Coupe du Monde
The goalkeeper had relatively little to do for large parts of the contest, but he should have done a lot better about Senegal’s late goal. His distribution was tidy, and he looked composed whenever called into action.
Jules Koundé – 6.5/10
Koundé provided energy down the right flank and was generally reliable defensively. He had a few difficult moments against Senegal’s pace but recovered well and helped France maintain their shape during a challenging first half.
Dayot Upamecano – 7/10
The Bayern Munich defender looked solid throughout. He looked dominant in aerial situations but was occasionally exposed when Senegal attacked with speed. Improved significantly after the break as France gained control.
William Saliba – 6.5/10
Saliba’s composure on the ball helped France play out from the back under pressure. Although Senegal’s attackers caused problems at times, the Arsenal defender remained calm and delivered a solid if unspectacular performance.
Theo Hernández – 6.5/10
One of France’s most adventurous defenders, Hernández constantly looked to push forward and stretch the Senegal backline. Defensively, he was tested on occasion but contributed positively in possession.
Aurélien Tchouaméni – 7/10
France struggled to establish control early on, but Tchouaméni grew into the match. His ball-winning ability and positional discipline became increasingly important as Senegal began to tire, allowing France to dictate the tempo.
Adrien Rabiot – 6.5/10
Rabiot worked hard in midfield and helped France regain authority after a difficult opening period. While he was not particularly influential in the final third, his experience and physical presence proved valuable. Also created the second goal of the game for Bradley Barcola.
Michael Olise – 8.5/10
The creative heartbeat of the French attack. Olise’s vision and passing repeatedly opened up Senegal’s defence, and his assist for Kylian Mbappé’s opener was a moment of genuine quality. Whenever France threatened, he was usually involved.
Ousmane Dembélé – 7/10
Dembélé remained a constant threat with his pace and direct running. His final ball was inconsistent at times, but he stretched Senegal’s defence and created space for his teammates throughout the game.
Desire Doue – 6/10
Worked hard and helped France maintain attacking pressure. However, that final bit of quality was lacking and he never really threatened Senegal with his flair or goalscoring ability.
Kylian Mbappé – 9/10
Kylian Mbappé has 14 goals in World Cup games.
Only Miroslav Klose (16) and Ronaldo (15) have scored more in the history of the competition. pic.twitter.com/fJQP4EX5wj
The difference-maker. Mbappé was relatively quiet at times during the match but once again demonstrated why he is one of the world’s elite players. Two clinical goals settled the contest and ensured France began their World Cup campaign with maximum points.
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Barcola brought energy, urgency and cutting edge to France’s attack. His goal effectively killed off Senegal’s hopes of a comeback and capped an excellent display. The young winger made a huge impact whenever he got on the ball.
Rayan Cherki – 6.5/10
Added fresh legs in midfield and helped France see out the match comfortably. Looked lively after his introduction, but did not have enough time to make a major impact on the contest.
Newcastle United appear to have beaten Manchester United and Liverpool to the front of the queue for Osasuna winger Víctor Muñoz, with the Spanish attacker convinced by the project at St James’ Park.
Newcastle are in advanced talks over a deal worth around €35m plus €5m in bonuses, sources close to the agents industry have informed CaughtOffside.
That package would take the total value close to Osasuna’s €40m asking price and could make him one of the club’s most exciting attacking signings of the summer.
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For Man United and Liverpool, this is a frustrating setback. Both clubs had been linked with the 22-year-old, but Newcastle have offered something more convincing, a clear role, regular minutes and a direct pathway into Eddie Howe’s attacking plans.
Why Man United and Liverpool lost the race
Muñoz’s priority has always been game time, and that is where Newcastle seem to have made the strongest case.
With Anthony Gordon’s future uncertain, there is a clear opening on the wing, and Newcastle have moved quickly to show the player he would not simply be another squad option.
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Reports from AS also suggest Muñoz has prioritised continuity and minutes, despite interest from clubs such as Manchester United, Liverpool and Barcelona.
That makes this feel less like a bidding-war defeat and more like a sporting rejection for United and Liverpool.
Real Madrid remain part of the story because of the clauses they kept when selling Muñoz to Osasuna.
Madrid hold a low buy-back option, while several reports also point to a major sell-on clause.
Madrid are not expected to bring him back this summer, but they are still set to profit from any Newcastle deal.
CaughtOffside has also reported that Newcastle are optimistic about completing the transfer quickly.
For Newcastle, this would be a statement signing. For Man United and Liverpool, it is another reminder that Newcastle’s project now has serious pulling power.
Arsenal and Manchester United could face a major challenge if they decide to push seriously for Morgan Gibbs-White this summer, with Nottingham Forest determined to keep hold of one of their most important players.
The England playmaker has become one of the most talked-about names of the window after an outstanding 2025/26 campaign.
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Sources close to the agents industry informed CaughtOffsidethat Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham have all shown interest, while European clubs are also monitoring the situation.
For Arsenal, the attraction is obvious. Mikel Arteta’s side have been looking for more creativity and goal threat between the lines, and Gibbs-White would offer something different to their current midfield and attacking options.
He is direct, aggressive, technically sharp and comfortable carrying the ball into dangerous areas.
Why Man United are closely watching Gibbs-White
Man United’s interest also makes sense. United need more players who can create chances, press with energy and deliver end product from midfield.
With the club still trying to reshape its attack and midfield, Gibbs-White would fit the profile of a Premier League-proven player ready to make an immediate impact.
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The problem for both Arsenal and United is Forest’s stance. After Elliot Anderson’s expected big-money exit, Forest do not want to lose another key player in the same window.
Forest are preparing to stand firm, while Sky Sports has also reported that Arsenal have him on their shortlist.
Gibbs-White’s numbers explain why Forest are being so firm.
FotMob lists him with 15 goals and four assists in the 2025/26 Premier League season, while Transfermarkt values him at around €70m and shows his contract running until 2028.
That means Forest have no reason to sell cheaply. Arsenal and Man United may both admire him, but unless either club is ready to pay a huge fee, this could become one of the toughest attacking-midfield deals of the summer.
Gibbs-White was named April 2026 Player of the Month in the Premier League after four goals and one assist in just three matches.
Chelsea left‑back Marc Cucurella’s future has become one of the most debated topics of the summer transfer window.
Sources have informed CaughtOffside that the Spanish defender believes his time at Stamford Bridge is “coming to an end”, while Europe’s elite clubs continue to monitor the situation closely.
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Where will Marc Cucurella end up?
Barcelona would like to bring Cucurella back, but the club’s financial restrictions and concerns over registration guarantees weaken their chances. Atlético Madrid has shown more concrete interest, preparing to open formal talks with Chelsea. Sources suggest Atleti would prioritise a loan deal with a purchase option, though no official bid has yet been made and patience is required. Real Madrid are also keeping tabs, but Cucurella’s priority is understood to be a return to Barcelona.
Meanwhile, Manchester United and Manchester City are closely following developments.
Chelsea’s position is clear: the club has accepted Cucurella’s desire to leave and is ready to sanction a move if the right offer arrives this summer. His contract runs until 2029, and Chelsea value him in the €50–55M range, a figure that will be decisive in negotiations.
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Cucurella himself believes leaving Chelsea is the best solution for both parties. He has instructed his agents not to update him during Spain’s World Cup campaign, preferring to manage the process calmly and finalise his decision afterwards.
In conclusion, Marc Cucurella’s case is shaping up to be one of the headline stories of the summer market. The financial dimension, combined with the involvement of Europe’s biggest clubs, will determine the outcome.
Chelsea’s valuation, Barcelona’s registration issues, Atlético’s formal steps, and the strategies of Real Madrid and Manchester United stand out as the key factors determining Cucurella’s next destination.
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