Manchester United are still pursuing Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, according to a LiveScore round-up of the club's transfer news published on Tuesday. The same report says United are monitoring Crystal Palace pair Ismaila Sarr and Jean-Philippe Mateta, while Barcelona are watching defender Lisandro Martinez.
LiveScore attributes the Nmecha and Palace items to TEAMtalk and the Martinez interest to journalist Sacha Tavolieri.
Why it matters
United's midfield and attack have been areas of persistent speculation, and the report ties three of the club's reported targets to players whose situations could shift in the coming months. Nmecha, a Germany international, would be a long-term addition rather than a quick fix, and the suggested price reflects that.
At the other end, Martinez's future carries weight for United's defensive planning. LiveScore reports that the Argentina international is expected to move on next summer, which would force the club to reshape a back line it has built around him.
Nmecha: a long-standing target with a high price
According to LiveScore, Nmecha has been on United's radar for some time. A deal last summer did not materialise: the midfielder signed a contract extension in the spring, and Dortmund had no intention of selling him.
LiveScore reports that the picture could change in 2027, though any move would likely cost around €100 million. Nmecha came through the Manchester City academy, and the report notes he has spoken openly about wanting to play in England again.
That combination — a settled contract, a reluctant seller and a nine-figure valuation — explains why a transfer did not happen this year. It also suggests that if United return for him, they will be negotiating from a weaker position than they might have hoped.
Two Palace attackers on the radar
LiveScore reports that United are also keeping an eye on Sarr and Mateta at Crystal Palace, both of whom have been linked with Old Trafford before. The report says that interest has not faded.
Sarr has not yet decided whether to sign a new deal at Selhurst Park. He wanted to leave in the summer, according to LiveScore, but Palace blocked the move.
Mateta's situation is more advanced. LiveScore reports that the French forward has spent more than a year trying to secure a transfer away from the club. United are said to be set on bringing in an attacker in January, and the report suggests Palace may be willing to sell given that Mateta's contract is running down.
For United, the appeal is obvious: a forward who wants out and a club that may soon need to cash in. For Palace, the calculation is whether to hold on and risk losing him for nothing or take a fee while they still can.
Martinez expected to leave, with Barcelona circling
LiveScore reports that Martinez is likely to depart United next summer. The defender reacted strongly after the club's Champions League defeat to Atletico Madrid, which the report presents as a sign that he wants a fresh challenge. United, for their part, are not expected to block him.
The club holds an option to extend his expiring contract by a further year, but LiveScore reports that they are unlikely to use it. That would leave Martinez free to pick his next club, and Barcelona are among the sides monitoring the situation.
Letting a senior defender walk away without a fee is a significant call, and it points to a rebuild rather than a patch-up. It also hands Barcelona, or any other suitor, a straightforward path to negotiations.
Managerial picture: Carrick secure, but plans could be disrupted
LiveScore reports that Michael Carrick's position is not currently under threat. Even so, the club's longer-term planning could be affected by events elsewhere.
Antonio Conte, whose representatives have reportedly been in contact with United, is also a target for Juventus, where Luciano Spalletti is under increasing pressure. Journalist Daniele Fisichella is cited as believing that Conte, who lives in Turin, would lean towards taking the Juventus job.
Separately, The Guardian reports — as relayed by LiveScore — that former Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna is emerging as a candidate at Crystal Palace as the club considers Pierre Sage's future. McKenna, a former United assistant, is out of work and has been linked with the Old Trafford job in the past.
The common thread is that United's options may narrow if rival clubs move first. A coach they have been connected with could end up elsewhere, and a manager they might one day want could be tied down by another club.
What to watch
The next signals will come from Nmecha's camp and Dortmund's stance on a 2027 sale, from whether Sarr signs a new Palace contract, and from any formal move for Mateta in January. Martinez's situation should become clearer as his contract option decision approaches.
