De Gea linked with return to Manchester United

A look at the latest Manchester United transfer rumors surrounding De Gea and Adam Wharton as the window closes in on September.

De Gea linked with return to Manchester United

Manchester United kick off the 2025/26 season against Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday, with new signings Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko expected to feature. The transfer window remains open until September 1, keeping the door ajar for last‑minute moves. A Sun report cites Alan Nixon claiming United are making checks on a potential De Gea return because a Fiorentina contract clause could let him leave for a small fee. The piece notes that United would need either Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir to depart to free up wages, but a cheap deal could swing the decision. The Manchester Evening News adds that Onana is unlikely to leave and that signing another goalkeeper is not a priority unless the price is right, making a De Gea comeback conceivable but not essential for now.

Beyond the goalkeeping chatter, United have identified Adam Wharton of Crystal Palace as a possible alternative to Carlos Baleba. Palace’s stance remains firm on selling Baleba, with Brighton reportedly telling the midfielder he is not for sale. The MEN report also notes Palace would be reluctant to lose multiple key players in the same window, complicating any bid. The piece suggests Wharton fits United’s profile and could offer a steadier option in midfield if a deal can be struck, despite the challenges posed by Palace’s hierarchy and competition from other clubs.

The current transfer stir at United shows a club weighing nostalgia against real finances. Replacing a long‑standing starter like De Gea would carry emotional weight in the dressing room and could destabilize the current goalkeeping balance if Onana is kept but not fully trusted post‑injury. Yet a cheap, low‑risk return is precisely the kind of tactical move a club under pressure to balance ambition with budget constraints might consider. The talk around Wharton signals a broader strategy: pursue a cost‑effective, grown‑up midfielder who can slot into a high‑press system without forcing overhauls to the wage bill.

The window is a test of United’s patience and planning. Palace’s reluctance to part with Baleba, coupled with Baleba’s rising stock and Brighton’s stance, pushes United toward a patient, long‑term play rather than a quick fix. If the club errs, it could repeat a pattern of short‑term signings that fail to deliver a coherent squad identity amid a crowded fixture list and a demanding season start.

Highlights

The story of United’s summer continues to unfold as the clock runs down.