Man Utd eyeing move to sign ‘next Mbappe’

At a time when Manchester United seemed ready to start under Michael Carrick, it’s fair to say that this summer has not gone well so far.

It’s the same old cycle under Glazer ownership – spend big in pursuit of Champions League qualification, yet apply the handbrake when that goal is reached.

So it was in 2023, the summer that saw Harry Kane move to Bayern Munich and Declan Rice to Arsenal. In came Rasmus Hojlund and Mason Mount to Old Trafford instead, for an estimated £119m.

Yes, there is merit in being patient and not paying the odds for the likes of Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes, but perhaps that is the norm these days with top talent, with the Red Devils in danger of being left empty-handed.

With pre-season coming up and the new Premier League campaign just over a month away, INEOS needs to start clicking into gear.

Man Utd are exploring a move to sign another Summerville this summer

The midfield remains the focus of Jason Wilcox and co, although United also seem to be looking to strengthen the attack, appearing to have made West Ham United’s Crysencio Summerville a top target.

The Netherlands speedster has reportedly prioritized a move to Old Trafford this summer, following the Hammers’ recent relegation, having told his representatives that he only wants to sign for Carrick’s side.

It is suggested that the 24-year-old will cost around £50m if he leaves this summer, although Tottenham Hotspur are also in the mix, as the north Londoners could be planning another transfer hijack.

Both United and Spurs could be part of another exciting target, with United in Focus reporting that the pair, along with Aston Villa, are in the race for Paris Saint-Germain star Ibrahim Mbaye.

The Premier League trio are all believed to be eyeing a move for the Senegalese midfielder, with bids in the region of €25m (£21m) seemingly in the works, amid the teenager’s willingness to leave.

For their part, the Champions League holders are open to offers for the 18-year-old, although they would be looking at closer to €35m (£30m) to approve a sale.

Why Mbaye can be a bigger talent than Summerville

There is merit in the Premier League’s pursuit of proven players this summer, even if that comes with very high transfer fees, as was the case with Anderson and Fernandes.

At some point, United will need to gamble on these talents before they end up at Nottingham Forest, West Ham, Brighton etc, leaving early to develop their own youth.

That has been seen, at least, in the recent examples of Patrick Dorgu and Senne Lammens, with Mbaye hoping to be the next surprising success story, if he arrives at a reduced fee.

Now, considering that he is currently on PSG’s books, the French-born player is not an unknown quantity, but he is still waiting to really explode, as he has found himself behind Luis Enrique’s string of strikers.

When the sought-after player did appear, however, he caught the eye, registering eight goals and assists in 42 top games for the Parisian outfit.

In comparison, despite not being a young 24-year-old, Summerville has scored just 15 goals in 56 games at the London Stadium, which is not the most impressive return for a £50m winger.

A right-footed striker who, like Summerville, can play on either side, Mbaye finished the 2025/26 Ligue 1 campaign with five goals and an assist to his name, a good return considering he actually started ten times.

He scored at an average of one goal every 332 minutes, boasted a 13% goal conversion rate and missed just four ‘big chances’. In comparison, Summerville scored once every 496 minutes last term, while recording a 9% goal conversion after missing seven ‘big chances’.

With the ball, Mbaye performed impressively despite his young age, recording an accuracy rate of 86%, higher than the Dutch player’s average of 83%.

Such quality was on display in Senegal’s World Cup opener against France, as the PSG star fired in what appeared to be a late consolation goal, showing a terrific change of pace before hitting the ball from the sideline.

That ability to finish and play is not yet evident enough in the first team, although his ceiling seems to be very high, as praised by “the next Kylian Mbappe” with GOAL.

Summerville, having scored just five goals in the Premier League last season, are no sure thing in themselves, having to focus on more attacking talent this summer.