25 Apr 2026 08:05 BST |<\/span> Transfer insider Fabrizio Romano has delivered the latest news from the market, with an update on Manchester United\u2019s interest in Carlos Baleba, Rafael Leao\u2019s situation, Chelsea\u2019s next manager and Regis Le Bris\u2019 future at Sunderland.<\/p>\n Romano addressed the situation of Rafael Leao, who was credibly linked with Manchester United<\/b> in the Italian media and has also long been rumoured to be a target for Barcelona.<\/p>\n On the Portugal international winger, he told his YouTube<\/b> channel:<\/p>\n \u201cMany questions on the AC Milan winger because this could be one of the names of the summer transfer window. At the moment, let me clarify one thing. It has not been an easy season for Leao, especially in the second half of the season, but AC Milan are not actively looking to sell him. So he is not a player completely out of the project.<\/p>\n \u201cBut in case of a good proposal for the player and for the club, there is a possibility of seeing Rafa Leao leave Milan in the summer transfer window. So yes, that remains a possibility.<\/p>\n \u201cOn Barcelona, many questions recently. But at the moment, apart from being a player appreciated by president Joan Laporta, Barcelona have not started concrete conversations or negotiations with Milan or with the player\u2019s agents.<\/p>\n \u201cThen many rumours from England about Premier League clubs. I can tell you that some Premier League clubs have made calls to understand the situation around Leao, how much he is worth, what Milan want, and what the salary situation is. From what I heard, two Premier League clubs have called to understand the situation. Again, no official proposals and no official negotiations yet, but calls have started.<\/p>\n \u201cOne year ago Bayern were interested, but at the moment Bayern have other priorities, especially other winger targets. So for now, the situation remains open around Europe, with some clubs starting to call for Rafa Leao.\u201d<\/p>\n Sunderland have enjoyed an excellent season, despite losing heavily to Nottingham Forest on Friday. It has been rumoured that manager Regis Le Bris could be sacked if he does not lead the club into Europe in what would widely be seen as a remarkably harsh decision.<\/p>\n Romano explained: \u201cThere were some rumours that Le Bris could lose his job if Sunderland do not qualify for European football. My understanding is that Sunderland want to continue with Le Bris, not depending on what happens at the end of the Premier League season, but simply because they want to keep him.<\/p>\n \u201cSo at the moment that is the feeling. We will see at the end of the season, but Sunderland have confirmed that they want to continue with Regis Le Bris.\u201d<\/p>\n Manchester United have yet to appoint a permanent manager, and Romano says that Michael Carrick, who has won eight of 12 games, is looking increasingly likely to get the job.<\/p>\n \u201cThe feeling internally at Manchester United is that they are very happy with him, very happy in recent weeks, even more than before,\u201d Romano said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt started well, but in the recent weeks Carrick has serious chances to get the permanent job at Manchester United. They are very happy with the results, very happy with the tactical approach, very happy with the attitude, and very happy with the relationship too.<\/p>\n \u201cThat relationship is a very important point. The manager, the players, Carrick and the squad are in very good contact, including the leaders of the dressing room and the young players. So Carrick has good chances to continue as Manchester United head coach.<\/p>\n \u201cStill, nothing is 100 percent decided, and nothing has been officially confirmed to him yet, so let\u2019s wait a bit. But Carrick has real possibilities to continue.\u201d<\/p>\n PSG head coach Luis Enrique would be Man Utd\u2019s dream manager but the Spaniard is ready to commit himself to the Champions League winners.<\/p>\n \u201cMy understanding is that the agreement between Luis Enrique and Paris Saint-Germain over a new contract is getting very close. PSG have offered a new deal until June 2030 with a big increase in salary, and Luis Enrique is very open to continuing together,\u201d Romano said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe feeling is that PSG and Luis Enrique will continue and will put pen to paper on a new contract. But at the moment, despite reports from France in the last few days, nothing has been signed yet.\u201d<\/p>\n Chelsea have been linked with a string of different managers following the sacking of Liam Rosenior. Romano has dismissed claims that either Edin Terzic or Enzo Maresca could land the role.<\/p>\n \u201cTerzic has a verbal agreement to become the next head coach of Athletic Club Bilbao. So he could be the new Bilbao coach,\u201d Romano said.<\/p>\n \u201cSome people linked Terzic with the Chelsea job, but my understanding is that this is not a possibility actively discussed right now. Chelsea also know about the verbal agreement between Terzic and Athletic Bilbao.<\/p>\n \u201cThen many are still asking about Enzo Maresca. On Maresca, I maintain my position. He will not return to Chelsea, impossible. Maresca is the candidate Manchester City want to replace Pep Guardiola whenever Pep decides to go, this summer or next summer.<\/p>\n \u201cInternally, City believe Maresca is the ideal future candidate. So I keep this name. I know there are other links and other managers mentioned, but my understanding is that Maresca could be the next Manchester City manager. Nothing signed, nothing completed, but he is the leading candidate.\u201d<\/p>\n Manchester United are still tacking Carlos Baleba, with the Brighton man one the midfielders who is being examined with a summer move in mind.<\/p>\n Romano explained the situation:<\/p>\n \u201cThe Cameroon midfielder from Brighton was a top target for Manchester United last summer and remains one of the names under consideration for the midfield.<\/p>\n \u201cAgain, still nothing decided, still nothing advanced, but United are among the clubs deciding which two midfielders they want, because it is going to be two. Carlos Baleba remains on their shortlist.<\/p>\n \u201cHe was a target for Ruben Amorim and remains a target for the United scouting department. Then let\u2019s see what happens with the permanent manager, with Carrick, with the club decisions, with the budget, and with what Brighton want to do. There are still several factors.<\/p>\n \u201cBut Baleba remains a name on Manchester United\u2019s shortlist, and the verbal agreement from summer 2025 remains valid for summer 2026. So Baleba is still very keen on a Manchester United move. We will keep you updated.\u201d<\/p>\n Mohamed Salah to MLS: ‘Most likely destination’ revealed<\/b><\/p>\n Transfer Rumours: Tonali makes Man Utd decision as ‘big’ offer ready<\/b><\/p>\n Check out FootballTransfers’ new app for all of football’s big storylines, transfer rumours and exclusive news in one convenient place directly on your mobile device.<\/p>\n The FootballTransfers app is available on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. Download here:<\/p>\n \u2022Google Play<\/b><\/p>\n \u2022App Store<\/p>\n Robin Bairner is an eminent digital football journalist who has been writing about the sport for major global publishers since 2006, specialising in Ligue 1 and Scottish football. He has been chief editor of the FootballTransfers global edition since its launch in 2020. Previously Bairner had been a key member of the editorial team which helped Goal.com become the world\u2019s biggest football website. He covered multiple major competitions as a correspondent for Goal including the 2014 World Cup in Brazil, where he had the opportunity to work in Fortaleza<\/a>. Among his highlights of the competition was Brazil\u2019s quarter-final victory over Colombia.
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