Manchester United are in no rush to complete a third midfield signing of the summer and are set to take their time to assess the market before making a move for anyone.
As previously revealed, United are working off a long list of potential midfield signings this summer after crunching the numbers on players across the continent.
There is a feeling that the pressure is off after completing deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans from Chelsea and Aston Villa for a combined £85million.
Midfield options under consideration
That adds two players with Premier League experience who can hit the ground running to Michael Carrick's squad and United believe it buys them time to evaluate the market.
That will also allow for clarity on Aurelien Tchouameni's situation at Real Madrid, with the Spanish giants pushing to sign Rodri from Manchester City. Any deal to take the Spain captain to Madrid would see Tchouameni or Eduardo Camavinga pushed out the door.
United have looked at both players and would rather sign Tchouameni, 26. He has agreed terms on a new five-year deal at the Bernabeu, although there has been no official statement from Real confirming the new contract.
Transfer market dynamics
With City currently unwilling to sell Rodri, the uncertainty around Real's midfield could drag on well into August and towards the start of the new season. United ran background checks on Tchouameni several months ago and remain interested in a deal if he comes on the market.
Tchouameni had a difficult World Cup, starting half of France's games, while he was an unused substitute in the other four. In his absence, 25-year-old Manu Kone shone and he is keen to capitalise on his exposure by securing a big move this summer.
He is under consideration at Old Trafford, although United have yet to commit to a leading target for the third midfield signing and haven't initiated talks with Roma over a potential deal. Kone's patchy injury record could come into the thinking as targets are assessed.
Other targets and financial considerations
Fulham's 28-year-old Norwegian international Sander Berge remains under consideration, while United could return to try and sign Carlos Baleba. He was the leading target a year ago, only for Brighton to slap a £100million price tag on him.
United wouldn't pay that figure this summer and haven't been in touch with the Seagulls during the window, but they are still admirers of the Cameroon international.
The fee could also be an issue in any attempt to sign Alex Scott. Chelsea have already had a £64million bid for the 22-year-old rejected by Bournemouth and United are reluctant to get into a bidding war for any of their targets this summer.
