Manchester United have reportedly entered the race to sign Genoa defender Koni De Winter, a player who has been heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur.

The Belgian centre-back has impressed in Serie A, drawing interest from several top European clubs.

Tottenham, currently struggling under Ange Postecoglou in his second season, have faced multiple challenges, including a significant injury crisis over the past few months.

Despite reinforcements arriving in January such as Antonin Kinsky, Mathys Tel, and Kevin Danso the North London club still appears keen on bolstering its defensive ranks.

De Winter, 22, has developed significantly at Genoa since moving from Juventus in 2023 initially on loan before a permanent transfer set for summer 2024.

He has made 49 appearances for the Italian side, scoring three goals. However, a hamstring injury has limited his involvement this season, restricting him to just 16 Serie A starts.

Despite this setback, his performances have been strong enough to attract interest from major clubs.

According to CaughtOffside, Manchester United are now monitoring De Winter as they prepare for a summer overhaul.

With Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans set to leave on free transfers, bolstering the defence is a key priority for United’s prospective new manager, Ruben Amorim.

The Belgian defender, valued at around €30-35 million, has proven to be a versatile asset, excelling both as a centre-back and as a right-back when needed.

Both Tottenham and Manchester United have endured disappointing Premier League campaigns, currently sitting 14th and 13th in the table, respectively.

However, both teams have reached the Europa League quarter-finals, making the competition a crucial opportunity to salvage their seasons.

Securing a Champions League spot through European success could give either club a competitive edge in the race to sign De Winter.

The Belgian defender has indicated that his decision will be based on the most ambitious sporting project available to him, making it even more essential for Tottenham to push for Europa League glory if they wish to outmaneuver Manchester United in securing his signature this summer.

Man United’s unique Jadon Sancho agreement gives Ruben Amorim perfect transfer plan

Jadon Sancho’s future remains uncertain as Chelsea are reportedly reconsidering their obligation to make his loan move from Manchester United permanent.

The winger joined Chelsea last summer with a clause requiring the Blues to buy him for £25 million if they finish above 14th in the Premier League.

However, recent reports suggest Chelsea are now considering paying a penalty fee to exit the agreement.

According to the i newspaper, Stamford Bridge officials are weighing up this option, which would allow them to avoid committing to Sancho’s reported £250,000-a-week wages.

Chelsea have already secured a deal for Sporting Clube de Portugal winger Geovany Quenda, further complicating Sancho’s prospects of staying.

The 17-year-old will face competition from Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke, and Mykhailo Mudryk for a place in the squad. Sancho’s inconsistent performances have reportedly made Chelsea hesitant to finalize his permanent move, despite a promising start to life at Stamford Bridge.

The 24-year-old has managed just two goals and one assist in 29 appearances across all competitions this season.

Manchester United, meanwhile, are planning for next season without Sancho. Club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe previously identified the former Borussia Dortmund star as one of the players who were either “overpriced” or “not good enough.” He told the BBC: “For Sancho, who now plays for Chelsea and we pay half his wages, we’re paying £17m to buy him in the summer.”

If Chelsea ultimately back out of their obligation, United will need to find another buyer for Sancho.

The club would benefit financially from his permanent exit, especially with new manager Ruben Amorim expected to work under a restricted transfer budget.

Additionally, receiving a penalty fee from Chelsea could further support United’s financial planning.

Former Chelsea defender William Gallas has voiced doubts about Sancho’s long-term future at the club, stating that the winger needs to step up his performances.

“He’s a talented player, everybody knows this, but we don’t know why he can’t perform and can’t show what he can do,” Gallas said.

“At Dortmund, he was magnificent. At Manchester United it didn’t work well for him. “He came to Chelsea and at the beginning we saw that Sancho from Dortmund, but then he disappeared.

“I don’t know what the problem is, but at the moment he can’t stay at Chelsea because he has to do more.

“When you play in the Premier League you have to play every game at the highest level. It’s not easy, but you can’t just play well for a few games and then chill out.”

With Chelsea’s reluctance to keep Sancho, United face a crucial summer decision.

Whether they can offload him elsewhere or capitalize on Chelsea’s potential penalty payment, the situation presents both challenges and opportunities for the club as they restructure under new leadership.

Dean Huijsen’s rise in the Premier League has Juventus watching closely, though not for the reasons fans might hope.

After Thiago Motta decided to sell him to raise funds for new signings, the young defender has flourished at Bournemouth, making that decision look more questionable by the day.

Huijsen’s talent is undeniable. Despite not having the most imposing physique, he plays with fearlessness and instinct, earning the respect of teammates and opponents alike.

His performances continue to impress, proving he was ready for top-level football.

Last season, he spent the second half of the campaign on loan at AS Roma.

While a move to a smaller club like Frosinone might have guaranteed more minutes, Roma offered him exposure to higher-level competition.

That gamble has paid off, as he has now become one of Bournemouth’s standout defenders.

His rapid development hasn’t gone unnoticed. Some of the biggest clubs in world football are now circling, and with a £50 million release clause, a summer move looks increasingly likely.

Juventus, though no longer in the picture for his return, have a financial stake in his future. Thanks to a 10% sell-on clause, they stand to earn £5 million if his release clause is met.

Looking back, Juventus may regret letting Huijsen go. His Premier League performances suggest he could have been a key player in Turin.

Instead, they’re left to watch from afar as he continues his meteoric rise.

Bayern Munich are preparing for a busy summer as they look to revamp their squad. The club aims to lower the wage bill, reduce the squad’s average age, and bring in fresh talent.

To fund new signings, Bayern are also open to offloading some players, particularly in midfield.

According to SportBild journalists Christian Falk and Tobi Altschaffl (via iMiaSanMia), the

German champions are willing to listen to offers for João Palhinha and Raphaël Guerreiro. Both players could be moved on if suitable bids arrive.

João Palhinha Struggling for Game Time

Palhinha joined Bayern from Fulham last summer in a deal worth over €50 million. His move had initially collapsed in 2023 but was eventually completed in 2024.

Despite high expectations, the Portuguese midfielder has struggled for regular minutes under Vincent Kompany.

With Joshua Kimmich, Aleksandar Pavlovic, and Leon Goretzka ahead of him in the pecking order, Palhinha has found it difficult to secure a starting spot.

His situation was further complicated by a red card against VfL Bochum, ruling him out of two league matches.

However, Palhinha has no intention of leaving Bayern just yet. In an interview with SportBild, he expressed his determination to fight for his place and contribute to the team’s success.

Raphaël Guerreiro Also on the Market

Versatile defender Raphaël Guerreiro is another player Bayern are willing to part ways with.

The former Borussia Dortmund star can play both in defense and midfield, but with strong depth in both areas, he may be deemed surplus to requirements.

If the right offer comes in, Bayern are prepared to let him leave.

Despite potentially losing both players, Bayern are not expected to sign direct replacements.

The club has already secured the signing of Tom Bischof from Hoffenheim on a free transfer to strengthen their midfield. Meanwhile, they feel well covered in the full-back positions.

Instead, the funds raised from Palhinha and Guerreiro’s potential departures will likely be used to reinforce the attack.