Manchester United want four major signings this summer, Arsenal set to benefit from Chelsea transfer sanction - Paper Round
Updated 17/03/2026 at 09:00 GMT
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Tuesday’s Paper Round leads on Manchester United, who have big summer transfer plans regardless of which manager takes the reins at the end of the season, as they look to replace Casemiro. Meanwhile, Marcus Rashford’s hopes of joining Barcelona permanently in the summer have been boosted, while Arsenal are set to benefit from Chelsea’s ban on signing academy players.
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Tonali on Man Utd summer shortlist
Manchester United will look to sign two midfielders to ease the blow of Casemiro’s departure this summer, as well as targeting a left-sided player and a new centre-back.
That is according to The Sun, which claims United’s midfield shortlist includes Newcastle United star Sandro Tonali as well as quartet Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba and Alex Scott. It is ongoing uncertainty over Harry Maguire’s future, meanwhile, that has them looking at centre-backs.
The Sun adds: "Now that United play with a back four and wingers, they are devoid of a natural left-sided option.
"Patrick Dorgu was thriving in a more advanced role before he succumbed to injury at Arsenal on January 25 and Matheus Cunha has started the past seven games on the left.
"Dorgu is a left-back by trade, but if United rebrand him as a winger then they could instead invest in a new specialist left-back.
"Luke Shaw is out of contract next year and there are doubts about whether he would be able to contend with a more taxing schedule next season, with United likely to be back in Europe."
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Tonali wastes little time in adding to Newcastle lead
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Chelsea ban boosts Arsenal
Chelsea’s academy transfer ban will boost Arsenal, according to the Independent, given both clubs often pursue the best young talent in the country.
The Blues were fined on Monday and also handed a nine-month academy transfer ban, effective immediately, meaning they cannot buy academy prospects in the summer.
The Independent writes: "Arsenal, who routinely compete with Chelsea for the best young talent in the country, are now likely to face less competition as clubs battle to strengthen key age groups, including Under-14s, which is seen as a vital step in the development of players.
"Indeed, the Independent understands that Arsenal plan to appoint a new academy head, who would report to sporting director Andrea Berta, instead of James Ellis, who had served as the club’s technical director until his departure last month.
"Ellis had only been in the role for seven months, but Arsenal hope that the internal restructuring will see them positioned for long-term success."
Rashford’s Barca hopes boosted
Marcus Rashford’s prospects of joining Barcelona from Manchester United on a permanent deal in the summer have been boosted, according to the Daily Mail, following the re-election of club president Joan Laporta.
Laporta is said to have made signing Rashford part of his manifesto, and now the loanee is closer to making his stay at Camp Nou permanent.
The Mail adds: "Barcelona have a £26 million optional buy clause in their loan for Rashford and Man United will be powerless to keep him if they activate it. Whether Barca will have the financial muscle to pull that off is another matter.
"Rashford could yet win a Treble in his first season with the club. They lead the way in La Liga, are well-placed to beat Newcastle in the Champions League last 16, and lifted the Spanish Super Cup in January.
"He has put down roots in Barcelona after moving into an apartment in the upmarket district of Esplugues de Llobregat, an area which has played host to a score of Barcelona icons including Gerard Pique and Andres Iniesta. One of his newest neighbours is team-mate Lamine Yamal."
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