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Manchester United, Manchester City transfer battle brewing for midfielders Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba and Elliott Anderson - Paper Round
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Published 24/09/2025 at 23:00 GMT+1
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Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo may ask to leave the club again this January, while both United and Manchester City are looking at midfielders Elliot Anderson, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba. Elsewhere, Bruno Guimaraes is in line for a new contract after interest from Man City, and Morecambe have moved to sign a former Newcastle United winger.
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Midfielders in demand next summer
The Telegraph believes Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, and Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton could be in demand at the end of the season.
Both Manchester United and Manchester City may compete for the players as they look to strengthen their respective midfields.
The paper explains: "Manchester United are ready to lead the way next summer in the race for No. 6 midfielders with the key position expected to dominate the transfer market.
"United made enquiries over Brighton’s Carlos Baleba last month and have to fill the defensive-midfielder slot which has been highlighted since Erik ten Hag’s reign when he failed to land Frenkie de Jong.
"But Baleba, who is valued at more than ÂŁ100m, is not the only deep-lying midfielder who has caught the eye of Premier League and European clubs, who rarely see this many come through at once in that position.
"Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, 22, has broken into the England team and played in the 5-0 win in Serbia that virtually booked a place at the World Cup.Â
"Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton also pulled out of that Tuchel squad through injury but has made incredible progress in the 20 months since leaving Blackburn Rovers.
"Manchester City could look at that position to ease the workload of 2024 Ballon d’Or winner Rodri, 29, who has returned from a serious knee injury this season."
Mainoo prepares fresh loan request
Manchester United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo is anticipating having to leave the club this January.
His summer request for a loan move away was denied, but he is yet to get regular minutes this season, so he will likely ask again this winter.
The Daily Star reports: "Kobbie Mainoo is still prepared to leave hometown club Manchester United - in a bid to keep his World Cup dream alive. And this could see him seal a loan move in the next transfer window, if his fortunes do not improve at Old Trafford.
"Mainoo has become a frustrated figure at United, after struggling to get regular starts under boss Ruben Amorim. The midfielder has seen his career go backwards in the last 12 months.
"Amorim held private talks with Mainoo last week and told him he was still part of his plans, while challenging him to do more to fight for his place in the team.
"While [Thomas] Tuchel has made it clear he will not consider calling Mainoo into his Three Lions squad until he has secured more minutes on the pitch. With this in mind, Mainoo has accepted he will have no choice but to request another loan move elsewhere in January, should he still find himself on the fringes of Amorim's team."
Guimaraes could be in line for new deal
Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes could be rewarded with a new contract after interest from Manchester City.
The Mirror reports that Guimaraes did not agitate for a move away in the summer, unlike team-mate Alexander Isak.
The paper writes: "Newcastle United rebuffed an approach from Manchester City this summer for Bruno Guimaraes - but the discussion was quickly dismissed and a prolonged transfer saga was prevented.
"The inquiry, understood to have originated from intermediaries within the agent network, emerged in early June during the temporary FIFA transfer window prior to the FIFA Club World Cup. However, Newcastle rejected the interest with Bruno content on Tyneside and willing to discuss future contract talks down the road.
"What was observed internally was that Bruno's focus remained unwavering, with Isak essentially refusing to play to engineer his departure. The South American has three years remaining, and a fresh contract could be on the horizon for the ambitious former Lyon star."
Morecambe sign former Premier League star
Rolando Aarons was once tipped as a potential Premier League star when he broke through at Newcastle United more than a decade ago.
However, injuries curtailed his progress, and The Sun reports he has switched to non-league Morecambe.
The paper states: "Former Newcastle wonderkid Rolando Aarons has signed for non-league club Morecambe on a free transfer.
"The winger, now 29, was once tipped for greatness when he came through the ranks at St James' Park in 2014.
"But a string of injuries halted his progress as he played just 27 times in nine years for the Magpies.
"After a number of loans, he finally left Newcastle in 2021 for Huddersfield before being loaned to Motherwell.
"Last year, he had a brief spell with Slovenian side Celje before joining the PFA training squad this pre-season in a bid to maintain his fitness."
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