There is no denying that midfield is a priority for Manchester United this summer, but the INEOS government will be well aware that there are many other areas to work on ahead of the resumption of Champions League football next season.
With Joshua Zirkzee likely to leave the club, there is a good chance Luke Shaw will need a new rival at left-back, and he could also be a real rival for Benjamin Sesco in the centre.
Another area in need of reinforcement is on the left side, with Alejandro Garnacho being released to Chelsea last summer and Jadon Sancho and Marcus Rashford being loaned out.
Sancho, who signed for £73m in 2021, is currently heading out on a free transfer, while Rashford’s future will be back in the headlines this summer after seemingly missing out on a dream stay at Barcelona.
Some may be intrigued by the prospect of the 28-year-old returning to Old Trafford, although Michael Carrick and co will have to look elsewhere to find a solution on the left.
Manchester United top target for £69m Somerville replacement
Surprise news broke on Monday that Man United could be ready to sign a double deal with West Ham United for Matheus Fernandes and Crisencio Somerville, with the latter potentially available for a transfer fee of around £50m.
Manager Fabrizio Romano subsequently revealed that negotiations had taken place between the clubs regarding a possible deal for the Dutchman, although Paris Saint-Germain were also in the running.
According to the latest updates from Sky Sports, Somerville is one of United’s top targets for the left-wing role, with journalist Mark McAdam suggesting the 24-year-old could be “available” following the Hammers’ recent relegation.
However, as revealed in this report, the former Leeds United star is not the only potential target currently being considered, with Everton’s Iliman Ndiaye also a player that Old Trafford bosses are ‘on the lookout for’.
Ndiaye, who is currently playing for Senegal at the World Cup, has been heavily linked with a move from Hill Dickinson this summer, although the Toffees have reportedly put a £69m price tag on his head.
Ndiaye would be a dream upgrade for Manchester United at Somerville
Somerville may not be a leading name at this summer’s World Cup, but he made headlines with his incredible performance in the Netherlands’ 2-2 draw with Japan at the weekend.
The long-range attack comes after a season in which the fleet-footed speedster scored five goals in a disastrous Premier League defeat to the Hammers, with all of his efforts set to take place in early 2026.
The previous year, in his first season at the London Stadium, Somerville scored just one goal and provided just one assist, despite being restricted to just seven starts after arriving from Yorkshire.
He’s an explosive, potentially game-changing talent, but so is Ndiaye, and the Senegalese sensation could be an even bigger coup for the Red Devils.
His own World Cup journey did not start so brightly, as the African side lost 3-1 to France. However, the 26-year-old’s impact came right off the bench, as he provided a powerful consolation for Ibrahim Mbaye.
It took just a few minutes for Ndiaye to show his worth with that assist, which explains why he is probably “one of the best players in the league at his position,” in The Athletic’s Patrick Boyland.
The former Marseille forward, described by Louis Saha as “a mix between Amad and (Brian) Mbeumo”, is a great joy to watch and is a master at getting past defenders with ease.
“He is a very skilled player. I like Ndiaye’s style. Like Mbeumo, he is comfortable on the ball. His work rate is very good. To be honest, he is like a mix of Amad and Mbeumo.”
He may not have the blistering speed of Somerville, but he has a low center of gravity like Eden Hazard, and boasted an astonishing 2.3 successful dribbles per game in the Premier League last season, more than Somerville’s average of 1.7.
Overall, Ndiaye ranks second in the league in terms of successful dribbles, behind only Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku.
The Toffees talisman has also scored six goals and provided three assists after scoring nine times in 2024/25, with the end product to match.
Dribble success – 25/26 | |
|---|---|
player | record |
organization | 84 |
i go | 73 |
Mintae | 65 |
Semenyo | 59 |
Kayode | 55 |
bowen | 53 |
holy | 52 |
Cherki | 51 |
somerville | 51 |
other | 50 |
Ndiay comfortably trails Somerville with 18 goals in the past two seasons, but the West Ham man has only scored nine goals in that time.
Ndiaye’s most memorable contribution perhaps came earlier this year when he sublimely found the roof of the net in a big win against Liam Rosenior’s Chelsea.
There is a sense that the 26-year-old is ready to take the next step, much like Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha before him, and given all of the Dutchman’s potential, it seems clear that he could be a significant upgrade in Somerville.
Better deal than Somerville: £40m star keen to join Man United
Man United could have an advantage when it comes to signing him next summer.
