Man United latest: World Cup 'target' confirms transfer clause as doubt cast over £50m signing

Manchester United are on the brink of two major signings worth close to £100m, while another reported target has offered a key update concerning their contract

Manchester United's summer expenditure is set to accelerate as the club approaches not one but two significant midfield acquisitions. Yet there's further business to conduct for Michael Carrick's side in the transfer window, with another alleged target pushing for a switch.

As the World Cup reaches its crucial phase, a growing number of players are now beginning to resolve their club futures. And two individuals in particular seem to be moments away from putting pen to paper in a twin deal worth close to £100million.

The outlay won't end there, though, as rumours intensify around another target who recently featured at the World Cup . MEN Sport compiles the latest United stories heading into this weekend.

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World Cup ace confirms 'I have a clause'

Orlando Gill has acknowledged he has a clause in his contract that could potentially facilitate a transfer to United. The Paraguay goalkeeper is said to be on United's shortlist after a series of outstanding performances against the likes of Germany and France at the World Cup.

United are believed to want additional competition for No. 1 stopper Senne Lammens and might compete with Aston Villa to acquire Gill. Argentinian publication Clarin has claimed Gill's present club, San Lorenzo, is facing nearly £50m of debt, which could make United's task easier.

The publication also reported Gill has a release clause in his contract permitting him to depart for approximately £5.2m. And the 26-year-old seemed open to a transfer when questioned about the recent increase in speculation.

Addressing the matter after returning to Paraguay this month, Gill said: "I can't say yes or no. They told me there is interest, but not a formal offer. I don't want to get carried away. We'll sit down and speak with the club to see what is best."

He continued: "I have a clause in my contract and I think it has to be respected. Then it depends on the club. If it's good for both parties, we'll have to reach an agreement."

A summer switch to Old Trafford may not have been the scenario Gill anticipated when he set off for the World Cup in June. Nevertheless, that's the possible consequence of excelling on the elite stage for all the world to witness.

Santos signing scrutinised

United are believed to be close to completing the signing of Andrey Santos, with the midfielder recently undergoing his medical ahead of a £50m switch. Yet not everyone connected to Old Trafford is convinced by the acquisition.

That's after Old Trafford legends Paul Scholes and Nicky Butt expressed reservations over the player's credentials and whether he's prepared for a starting role under Carrick. The 22-year-old featured 43 times across all competitions for Chelsea last season, though that evidently hasn't persuaded the United pair he's equipped for the responsibilites.

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Football podcast, Scholes raised concerns over the investment given Santos' limited Premier League experience: "Where've they seen him play enough games? United aren't in the position to be buying players for the future at this point."

Butt echoed those reservations, adding: "He's young and he's for the future. It's a surprise because we've been looking at big hitters coming in but we're looking at his potential.

"The big thing for me is if he's been brought in to come and start for us, United and Carrick don't have time to let people bed in."

It's worth highlighting that Santos, who appears set to arrive alongside Brazilian countryman Ederson, has been competing against more than £200m worth of midfield talent in Enzo Fernandez and Moises Caicedo. If anything, it's all the more remarkable he still managed to accumulate that kind of playing time alongside those distinguished names as his competitors.

Santos previously endured an underwhelming five-month loan spell at Nottingham Forest during the opening half of the 2023/24 season. He was merely 19 at the time, however, and is evidently a transformed player today following his loan stint at Strasbourg and subsequent breakthrough with the Blues.

Fitting neatly alongside the influx of other Brazilian and Portuguese-speaking talents at the club, Santos could form part of a new generation of samba flair in Manchester. Nevertheless, there remain those around the club who will need some persuading.

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