Manchester United have been handed a huge boost as Michael Carrick looks to make significant strides in the summer transfer window.
As exclusively reported by Daily Star Sport, club captain Bruno Fernandes is set to commit his future to United and expected to be offered a new £400,000-per-week contract. This follows more than a year of speculation about him leaving the Red Devils, following the U-turn he made on a switch to Saudi Arabia last summer.
With Carrick no longer fearing having to replace his best player, after a record-breaking season when Fernandes registered 21 assists in the Premier League, the United legend turned manager can now concentrate on finding new recruits to play alongside his Portuguese talisman in midfield.
Manu Kone transfer twist
United have reportedly encountered Saudi rivalry in their chase for Roma's £51m-rated Manu Kone, reports the Mirror. Saudi Arabian outfit Al-Ahli are believed to be pursuing the French midfielder, 25, which could disrupt United's transfer strategy. Sky Sports Switzerland claims Al-Ahli have approached Roma to discover Kone's valuation.
The club are reported to possess "concrete interest" in Kone, whose World Cup showings supposedly persuaded Al-Ahli to launch their bid. The report states United are "monitoring" the Roma star, while bitter rivals Liverpool and Spanish giants Atletico Madrid have also kept tabs on him previously.
Although Kone is said to prefer a Premier League switch over La Liga, he is "not ruling out" a move to Saudi Arabia. The development follows shortly after fellow Saudi Pro League outfit Al-Hilal struck a deal for West Ham winger Crysencio Summerville. The Netherlands international, 24, was a target that United had tracked and the club could be concerned about a similar scenario unfolding given Al-Ahli's rumoured interest in Kone.
United in 'pole position' for midfielder
United are among the frontrunners to secure Bournemouth's young England Under 21s ace Alex Scott. The 22-year-old has drawn attention from multiple clubs, but Arsenal pose United's primary competition for his services.
The Daily Mirror reports that Carrick's team are "in pole position", along with the Gunners, to wrap up a deal for Scott. It is believed Scott's representatives have carried out discussions with both clubs and the player will reach his final verdict within the coming two weeks.
Scott is said to lean towards a switch to Arsenal but harbours reservations about his prospects of securing consistent playing time, which could work in United's favour. He would represent the club's third midfield acquisition of the summer, after the captures of Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
