Manchester United's Midfield Search Hits Another Roadblock
Manchester United must turn their sights elsewhere in the search for new midfielders after refusing to match Tottenham's £85 million for West Ham youngster Mateus Fernandes. Spurs will wrap up a deal with the 21-year-old after agreeing to meet the Hammers' asking price, something United were unwilling to do. It means they have now missed out on their top two targets this summer, having seen Manchester City agree a £116 million deal with Nottingham Forest for Elliot Anderson.
United have agreed a package to sign Ederson from Atalanta for £35 million, but still need to add an elite-level midfielder to their ranks after seeing Casemiro leave at the end of last season. Here is where they could turn next and who remains on the shortlist after seeing Anderson and Fernandes get away.
Alex Scott: A Rising Premier League Talent
United have had the 22-year-old Bournemouth midfielder on their list for most of this season, but his name has risen up the ranks as other targets have fallen by the wayside. Scott has Premier League experience and has enjoyed an outstanding campaign with the Cherries, earning a spot in England's pre-World Cup training camp. His form has reportedly also attracted Arsenal's attention.
Bournemouth are keen to tie the former Bristol City man down to a new deal this summer and could include a release clause in it, as they did with Antoine Semenyo a year ago. Semenyo then joined Manchester City midway through the season, but United's need for midfield reinforcements is so pressing they might not be able to wait.
Aurélien Tchouaméni: A Big-Name Option
The France international is the biggest name on the list and is someone United have been keeping an eye on for several months, having been alerted to the fact an exit from Real Madrid this summer isn't impossible. Real bosses continue to insist he is going nowhere, despite a fight with captain Federico Valverde towards the end of last season. Jose Mourinho also wants to keep the 26-year-old.
United will be in the market if Tchouaméni does become available, however. That seems unlikely right now, but if Real land a big-money midfielder this summer the situation could change.
Carlos Baleba: High Price Tag Remains a Barrier
Baleba is arguably the third midfielder United have stepped away from due to a high asking price in the last 12 months. They were interested in signing him 12 months ago, but were put off by Brighton's demands of £100 million. They remain interested in Baleba but there has been little sign of movement so far this summer. Despite the 22-year-old enduring a difficult campaign in Sussex, Brighton haven't significantly dropped the price they want for a sale.
Adam Wharton: A Similar Profile to Mainoo
The trail has gone even colder on Wharton. The England international has had plenty of admirers, but at Old Trafford, there is a view that he is too similar to Kobbie Mainoo to play next to him in a two-man midfield.
Felix Nmecha: A Familiar Face at Carrington
Nmecha has a fan inside the building at Carrington in director of football Jason Wilcox, who was heavily involved in City's academy when Nmecha spent 14 years at the club as a youngster. The Borussia Dortmund man is a player several Premier League clubs have looked at, with United reportedly one of them, but his World Cup ended in a half-time withdrawal as Germany lost to Paraguay on penalties and his influence waned during the tournament.
Other Potential Targets
United held an interest in Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali earlier this summer, but have so far shown no interest in competing with Tottenham for his signature. At the lower end of the cost scale, they have also looked at Fulham's Sander Berge and USA midfielder Tyler Adams, who plays alongside Scott for Bournemouth.
