Manchester United are looking to strengthen their midfield this summer, but the team has suffered another blow after Matheus Fernandes agreed to join Tottenham Hotspur. According to the Manchester Evening News, Manchester United still have seven players on their midfield shortlist, though negotiations have yielded little progress so far. Brighton & Hove Albion's £100 million asking price has deterred Manchester United, and the club has not significantly reduced Baleba's valuation. If Real Madrid sign a high-priced midfielder this summer, Aurélien Tchouameni's situation may change.
Unwilling to match Tottenham Hotspur's £85 million offer for West Ham United's rising star Matheus Fernandes, Manchester United must look elsewhere for reinforcements.
Tottenham Hotspur met West Ham United's asking price and are close to finalizing the transfer of the 21-year-old, while Manchester United declined to match the bid. This marks the second major target Manchester United have missed this summer, following Manchester City's £116 million signing of Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest.
Manchester United have completed a £35 million deal to sign Ederson from Atalanta, but with Casemiro's departure at the end of last season, the club still needs to add a top-tier midfielder.
Which targets might Manchester United pursue next? Which other players are under consideration?
Scott
The 22-year-old AFC Bournemouth midfielder has been on Manchester United's radar throughout the season, and as other targets have fallen through, his stock has risen considerably.
Scott has Premier League experience and has impressed for AFC Bournemouth this season, earning a call-up to England's pre-World Cup training camp. His performances have also caught the attention of Arsenal.
AFC Bournemouth hopes to extend Scott's contract this summer and may include a release clause in the new deal, similar to their approach with Semenyo last year. Semenyo subsequently joined Manchester City mid-season, but Manchester United's urgent need for midfield reinforcements may not allow for such a wait.
Tchouameni
The French international is the highest-profile player on the shortlist. Manchester United have monitored him for months, aware that a Real Madrid departure this summer is not out of the question.
Despite a confrontation with captain Federico Valverde at season's end, Real Madrid's management insists Tchouameni will not leave, and Carlo Ancelotti also wants to retain the 26-year-old.
However, should Tchouameni enter the transfer market, Manchester United will be among those competing for him. This seems unlikely at present, but if Real Madrid sign an expensive midfielder this summer, circumstances could shift.
Baleba
Over the past 12 months, Baleba ranks among the midfielders Manchester United have abandoned due to excessive asking prices. The club showed interest in signing him last year, but Brighton & Hove Albion's £100 million valuation proved prohibitive.
Manchester United remain interested in Baleba, but progress has stalled this summer. Despite the 22-year-old's difficult season at Brighton & Hove Albion, the club has not substantially reduced his transfer fee.
Wharton
Manchester United's interest in Wharton has cooled. While he has no shortage of suitors, Manchester United believe his playing style is too similar to Kobbie Mainoo's and unsuitable for a two-man midfield partnership.
Nmecha
Nmecha has an admirer within Manchester United's Carrington training ground: Football Director Jason Wilcox, who was heavily involved in Nmecha's 14-year tenure at Manchester City's academy.
The Borussia Dortmund midfielder has attracted interest from several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United. However, his World Cup campaign faltered after being substituted at halftime during the penalty shootout against Paraguay, and his influence waned as the tournament progressed.
Other candidates
Manchester United expressed interest in Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali this summer but showed no willingness to compete with Tottenham Hotspur for him. For more economical signings, the club has also scouted Fulham's Berge and AFC Bournemouth's American midfielder Tyler Adams, who teammates with Scott.
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