The Yan Diomande Bidding War: Why Man United are already out of the €100m race | OneFootball

Manchester City, Real Madrid, PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Barcelona have all placed Yan Diomande at the top of their 2026 shortlists.

The race for the versatile winger is accelerating, but one name is notably absent from the front of the pack: Manchester United. While the club admires the player, it is already unlikely that they will participate in a bidding war that is already spiraling toward record-breaking territory.

Yan Diomande is the name on everyone’s lips for this summer window, with Man City, Real Madrid, PSG, Chelsea, Liverpool, and Barcelona all hovering. But without a release clause in his deal, the fee is already spiraling towards a figure close to €100 million. For a United side still nursing the hangover of last summer’s spending, that price tag is a non-starter, as priorities lie elsewhere.

The Midfield Priority: Carlos Baleba

If Yan Diomande is the dream of many Man United fans, for INEOS, Carlos Baleba is the priority target.

United have identified the Brighton man as their primary target to fix a fractured midfield. Despite a patchy season on the south coast, the recruitment team believes Baleba is the engine that they’ve lacked and will lack even more with Casemiro leaving this summer.

Talks with his representatives have continued from last year. Last summer, Brighton wanted £100 million; this year, a dip in form and a clear desire from the player to move could see that fee drop to a more manageable £70 million. He is seen as one of two midfield signings the club will make this summer, with the club seemingly having a free run at him given his poor season.

The Casemiro Exit and the ‘Number 6’ Hunt

The search for a defensive midfielder is dictated by the departure of Casemiro. The Brazilian is finally off the books, waiving a contract extension clause to ensure he moves on this summer. Manuel Ugarte is also expected to follow him out the door, with interest mounting from Italy and Turkey.

The shortlist to replace them is narrowing.

Sandro Tonali is seen as a genuine option. There are internal questions about previous homesickness and a previous gambling ban, but his tactical fit is undeniable. Newcastle doesn’t want to sell. His agent has been pushing for a move, and with Newcastle likely to struggle without Champions League football, their hand could be forced. For £60m, he could be seen as a perfect replacement.

Adam Wharton is highly rated, but Crystal Palace will demand a “massive” fee that United aren’t prepared to pay on top of the Baleba deal. Wharton isn’t seen to be one to push for a move just yet, and has a contract until 2029, which means Crystal Palace would be well within their right to demand in excess of £100m.

Elliot Anderson is/was a target for just about every club in football, but the word in the industry is that his move to Manchester City is effectively done.

The “No” List: Bruno Guimaraes (too old), Eduardo Camavinga (too many red flags), and Aurelien Tchouameni (too expensive) have all been crossed off for now.

Michael Carrick in Pole Position

Through the madness of the 2025/26 season, Michael Carrick has kept his head. After a run of seven wins in 10 games as interim boss, he has put himself in pole position for the permanent job. INEOS is impressed; unless the season ends in a total collapse, the job is likely his.

The Great Cull

The “For Sale” list is long and necessary.

The most difficult case is Andre Onana. He won’t push for a move because no other club will match his United salary, and he’s focused on his charity work. United wants him out, but they may be stuck. If he stays, Radek Vitek will return from a successful loan to take the No. 2 spot, while Tom Heaton remains as a third-choice or coach.

The Bruno Fernandes Dilemma

Then there is the captain. Bruno Fernandes turns 32 in September. He has a £57 million release clause valid for foreign clubs, but interest from Bayern Munich has cooled, and his family is reluctant to move to Saudi Arabia.

INEOS is wary of handing another massive, long-term deal to a veteran. A “2+1” year extension is the middle ground, potentially making him the club’s highest earner, but it’s a complicated negotiation that will haunt the summer.

Scouting the Future

Away from the headlines, the club is looking at versatile options like Nathaniel Brown at left-back. Long-term monitoring continues for youngsters Abubacarr Sedi Kinteh and Ognjen Ugresic. However, any hopes of landing Danish talent Jacob Ambæk