Raum release clause, five exits: seven transfers United could seal before Hull opener

Manchester United could complete up to seven transfers in the coming days, with the Premier League season opener against Hull City arriving on Saturday and the window closing a fortnight later.

The potential arrivals

The most significant incoming would be Germany international David Raum from RB Leipzig. The Athletic reported last week that United hold genuine interest in the 28-year-old left-back, whose contract contains a £34m release clause — a mechanism that would allow a deal to move quickly. With a move for Newcastle’s Lewis Hall considered extremely unlikely, Raum has emerged as the primary solution to a position United have needed to strengthen all summer. His current deal runs until 2027, which may encourage Leipzig to sanction a sale rather than risk losing him for nothing.

United are also in the running for Leicester City midfielder Louis Page, an 18-year-old who won the EFL Apprentice of the Year award last season. Arsenal and Aston Villa are among the other clubs credited with interest, but United are reportedly in pole position. The fee is expected to be in the region of £10m.

Those two arrivals would follow the three senior signings already made under manager Michael Carrick in his first summer window: Andrey Santos (£50m from Chelsea), goalkeeper Karl Darlow (free transfer from Leeds United), and Youri Tielemans, who joined from Aston Villa.

The likely departures

On the outgoing side, Joshua Zirkzee appears set to leave despite a promising pre-season. INEOS’ first signing has struggled to justify his £36.5m price tag and is reportedly attracting interest from Juventus, Roma and Como in Serie A. A loan deal with an option or obligation to buy is the most likely structure.

Academy striker Ethan Wheatley, 20, is in talks with Everton according to the Daily Mail. Wheatley spent last season on loan at Northampton Town and Bradford City and could depart either permanently or on a further loan.

Three additional young prospects are also said to be candidates for loan or permanent exits before the window shuts, though the specifics of those deals remain at an earlier stage.

The bigger picture

United’s transfer activity this summer has been shaped by a deliberate shift in philosophy — prioritising proven players and deals that can be structured around existing contractual clauses, as demonstrated by the Tielemans signing. With five days until the Hull fixture and the window open for a further two weeks, the club’s business is far from finished.