Hansi Flick has directly pressured Barcelona president Joan Laporta and sporting director Deco to keep the Manchester United loanee striker at the club this summer.
Reports suggest Manchester United are preparing to capitalize on Real Madrid’s internal chaos to poach a top star, with the Red Devils expected to sign at least five or even six new players this summer for a massive squad rebuild. 
With a return to the Champions League next season, United’s transfer chiefs are set to invest heavily again, focusing on a world-class midfielder from the troubled Real Madrid camp.
Real Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde’s future has taken a dramatic turn, and United are keen on a blockbuster move for the Uruguay international.
Last week, Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni clashed twice on the training ground. The second altercation saw Valverde hit his head on a table corner, requiring stitches and a hospital visit. Both players later apologized publicly, accepting a €500,000 fine each for damaging the club’s image.
In Sunday’s Clasico, Real Madrid lost 0-2 to Barcelona, surrendering the title. Tchouameni played the full match, while Valverde is expected to miss two weeks due to his head injury. 
Sources indicate Tchouameni initiated the first physical confrontation, but Valverde triggered the second row by accusing his teammate of leaking details of their first argument.
Renowned Spanish journalist Ramon Alvarez de Mon claims several core Real Madrid players want the club to sell Valverde this summer, citing his disruptive influence on dressing-room morale.
With internal tensions simmering, Valverde is at the center of the storm, making his future at the Bernabeu increasingly uncertain.
According to *Mirror* chief sport journalist Jeremy Cross, Manchester United plan to make a serious bid for Valverde when the summer window opens.
Most Real Madrid players have sided with Tchouameni, viewing Valverde as a dressing-room liability. United see this rift as an opportunity to open negotiations and bring the elite midfielder to Old Trafford.
Originally, United’s primary midfield target was Tchouameni, with at least two midfielders needed this summer. However, with Tchouameni now likely to stay, Valverde has emerged as the most probable departure from Real Madrid.
Having secured Champions League football, United’s hierarchy recognizes the need for a title-challenging squad under their next permanent manager. Football director Jason Wilcox will have a substantial transfer budget, with midfield reinforcement as the top priority.
*The Sun* reports United plan at least five new signings: three midfielders, a left-back, a backup striker, and potentially a new goalkeeper to support first-choice Andre Onana.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is a dream target, but Manchester City are also monitoring him. The player reportedly prefers City, and his price tag has soared to £100-120 million, forcing United to consider alternatives.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba has re-entered their radar, while United’s interest in Sunderland youngster Noah Sadiqi is growing.
The 21-year-old Sadiqi has not ruled out a move, leaving his future open. Sunderland want to keep him, but the player has not dismissed transfer talk.
Flick has made it clear he wants to keep Marcus Rashford permanently. In the Clasico, Rashford scored a free-kick to help Barcelona secure the La Liga title, impressing Flick with his attitude and tactical fit.
However, Barcelona’s financial constraints make it difficult to trigger the €30 million buy option. A proposed alternative is another loan with a mandatory purchase clause in 2027.
United rejected that plan, and several clubs, including Arsenal, have inquired about Rashford. Another complication is his salary: with United’s Champions League qualification, Rashford’s wages will automatically rise by 25%. The club is trying to control its wage bill and is unwilling to cover this increase, nor does it plan to reintegrate him into the rebuild.
Though United publicly leave the door open, internally they have concluded Rashford will not return. With two years left on his contract, his departure seems certain, and Barcelona remain his only preferred destination.
