Manchester United may be set for disappointment in one of their transfer pursuits, while the Red Devils have been tipped to sign another £75million star from a Premier League rival
Tom Sunderland Sports Writer
06:30, 13 Oct 2025
Ruben Amorim has received mixed news in relation to two potential Premier League targets(Image: Vince Mignott/MB Media, Getty Images)
Despite the significant investment in Manchester United’s attack over the summer, the club is being linked with another major signing to address their goal shortage. This comes after former England midfielder Chris Waddle endorsed United’s apparentl pursuit of Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo.
The Ghanaian international won’t come cheap, having maintained his impressive form with a stellar start to the new season. Similarly, Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton has also been turning heads with his own successful campaign so far.
United are reportedly planning a move for the England playmaker but there’s already a significant obstacle in their path. The MEN breaks down the latest rumours and headlines surrounding United as they prepare to return to action.
Wharton has sights set on Champions League
Crystal Palace gem Wharton appears to be edging closer of a lucrative transfer away from Selhurst Park. However, Eagles chairman Steve Parish has hinted United’s lack of Champions League football could put them at a disadvantage.
Wharton, 21, is rumoured to be the target of a £60million bid from Ruben Amorim’s side. Yet Parish emphasised the player’s ambition to compete in Europe’s premier competition, something United can’t currently guarantee.
“I think Adam at some point will want to play either in the Champions League with us, if we can make that happen, or probably with another club,” he revealed on talkSPORT. “He’s an extraordinary talent. I think right now, and I can’t speak for Adam, but I think he’s focused on his time at Crystal Palace.
Adam Wharton supposedly has Champions League football in his sights(Image: Sebastian Frej/MB Media/Getty Images)
“He had a broken season last season with the groin issues that he had that a lot of young players get. I think this season he’s completely focused on putting the games in, getting in the England squad, being a regular for us, and making sure that he can show that Saturday, Sunday, Thursday, Sunday.
“It’s a difficult programme for us right now. I think he’s very committed to the club. I don’t know where all this stuff comes from.”
United failed to secure a spot in any European competition this season following a disappointing 15th-place finish in the league last term. Ruben Amorim’s team has climbed to 10th place following three consecutive home victories, yet they are still in pursuit of their first away win this season.
Wharton, having seen team-mates Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze depart Palace for larger clubs in the past 18 months, is now arguably Palace’s most valuable player. The Eagles are also competing in Europe this season, vying for the Europa Conference League, but United will hope to help him realise even higher ambitions in the future.
Semenyo switch backed by ex-England ace
Only Erling Haaland (10) has more direct goal involvements than Semenyo (nine) this season. It’s no surprise then that the winger is drawing attention from some Premier League heavyweights.
Bournemouth believe their player, who signed a new five-year contract in July, is worth more than £75m. However, Chris Waddle thinks United would be making a wise investment by targeting the 25-year-old.
Chris Waddle believes United should hunt a move for Bournemouth winger Antoine Semenyo(Image: Getty Images)
“Antoine Semenyo, the winger at Bournemouth, is definitely the best [in the Premier League] right now,” the 62-cap former England international told BestBettingSites. “Semenyo is good at scoring goals, he’s positive, and he gets good goals. When he gets the ball he drives at players.
“I think Bournemouth will struggle to hold onto him. He’s really talented, and the best winger in the country right now.”
There’s been a lot of talk about United losing their allure for top players given they’re not competing in Europe, which will deter some from making the move to Old Trafford. However, Waddle remains confident United will bounce back and still hold enough appeal to attract a player of Semenyo’s calibre.
“People might question why someone would want to join Manchester United right now, but they will come good again, and they’re a huge club still,” he added. “If Semenyo went to United, he could play just as he is for Bournemouth and be ideal for them. He could play alongside Matheus Cunha, and then he and Benjamin Sesko could spark into life.”
These remarks don’t take into account another new signing, Bryan Mbeumo, who wasn’t a bargain considering United shelled out an initial £65m for his services. And adding more firepower to the attack becomes a tricky proposition given the hefty sums already spent on reinforcements last summer.
Here at the Manchester Evening News, we’re dedicated to bringing you the best Manchester United coverage and analysis.
Make sure you don’t miss out on the latest United news by joining our free WhatsApp group. You can get all the breaking news and best analysis sent straight to your phone by clicking here to subscribe.
You can also subscribe to our free newsletter service. Click here to be sent all the day’s biggest stories.
And finally, if you’d rather listen to our expert analysis then make sure to check out our Manchester is Red podcast. Our shows are available on all podcast platforms, including Spotify and Apple Podcasts, and you can also watch along on YouTube.