Manchester United are in talks with Manchester City over a move for Jess Park while City hold an interest in a separate deal for England team-mate Grace Clinton.

Park and United have already agreed personal terms and while an agreement is yet to be reached between the two clubs, negotiations are ongoing.

Both Park and Clinton were part of England’s European Championship-winning squad this summer and compete for the No 10 role at international level.

Clinton, 22, was not included in the United squad for their Champions League qualifiers against PSV and Hammarby in August, with manager Marc Skinner stating this was due to a minor injury.

Park, 23, joined Manchester City’s academy from York City and broke into the first team in 2017.

Both players featured for England at Euro 2025 (Matthias Hangst/Getty Images)

She made 21 appearances in the Women’s Super League (WSL) last season, scoring five goals. She was part of the City side that won the FA Cup in 2020 and League Cup in 2019 and 2022.

Clinton joined United from Everton in 2022 and featured 21 times in the WSL last season, scoring eight goals.

Speaking about Clinton ahead of United’s Champions League qualifier against PSV, Skinner said: “Grace, we’re going to monitor and see how she is. Coming out of the back of the Euros, she has, again, just a little niggle that we’re managing.”

Asked about reported interest in the midfielder, he replied: “Right now, I’ve not been told anything of the sorts. Look, I’m sure there are people interested in Grace, because she’s a fantastic footballer, but the reality is, the club have not told me anything of that. As I am now, I am preparing for Champions League tomorrow and Grace is is progressing nicely to being part of our squad going forwards.”

What would the two moves mean for United and City?

If both deals come off, each club would be signing a highly talented England international with vast WSL experience who can hit the ground running. What is particularly intriguing from a fan perspective is that players are swapping for rival clubs.

Both players’ contracts are due to expire at the end of the season, making them free agents, and if neither wants to sign a new deal, it makes sense for both clubs to obtain a fee, although that is yet to be agreed.

United will be particularly pleased with the signing of Park. She is a skilful, no-nonsense midfielder who brings plenty of energy, can turn out of tight spaces and drives at opponents. She also has an eye for goal, as demonstrated in England’s 1-0 win over Spain in February.

Clinton is more of a versatile midfielder, a hybrid between a No 8 and No 10. Having signed for United in 2022, she wanted more game-time in 2023-24 and got it during her season-long loan spell at Tottenham Hotspur. She has not reached the same level at United. Graceful on the ball, she can link play well and is a goalscoring threat.

(Photo: Carl Recine/Getty Images; Ben Roberts Photo/Getty Images)