Manchester United face a battle to land one of their key targets in the summer transfer window, as TEAMtalk reports of another team entering the race to seal their signature.
It comes as the Red Devils are looking to bolster the midfield ranks this summer, as Ederson is set to join from Atalanta as one of a few additions expected in the centre of the pitch.
There are plenty of options on the cards, with confidence that the club could land Elliot Anderson ahead of their rivals Manchester City, while links continue to emerge over interest for the likes of Alex Scott, Adam Wharton, and Carlos Baleba.
United are already facing a transfer hijack from Real Madrid after Jose Mourinho asked his new club to sign United target Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, and it might not be theonly one.
Then there's the future of Sandro Tonali to consider, with Man United firmly in the race for the Newcastle star valued at £100 million, but there is fresh competition for his signature.
AC Milan Join Sandro Tonali Race
Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali in action
As Man United line up a potential deal for Tonali this summer, they may be met with some fierce competition, as TeamTalk reports that the midfielder's former side AC Milan view a pathway to landing the star.
It's stated that the Rossoneri are keen on a return, but the Italian international's camp are frustrated by the club's delay in putting a new leadership team in place.
AC Milan dismissed Massimiliano Allegri, along with much of the sporting structure behind him, leaving the club in search of a fresh plan after failing to qualify for the Champions League.
While that process to hire a new head coach and sporting director is ongoing, there is belief that a return to the San Siro could be on the cards for Tonali.
The £100 million price tag could prove prohibitive, but the report claims that AC Milan are looking at deal structures that could write off previous transfer fees owed to the club from Newcastle for deals involving Tonali and Malick Thiaw.
It's unclear how successful that will be, but Tonali's preference appears to be a return to his former club, if he is to leave the Magpies this summer.
That comes as a potential blow for Man United, who have been tracking a deal for the 26-year-old as a potential key target for the summer window.
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Michael Carrick's Midfield Focus
Manchester United caretaker manager Michael Carrick claps the fans
While the midfield will be a focus for Manchester United, there should also be a priority in signing players with the right attitude to joining the club.
The Red Devils cannot afford to have players who don't want to join the club, with Tonali's preference to joining AC Milan making it clear where his priorities stand.
While United seemingly have the upper hand, with more money to spend than the Rossoneri, as well as a clear structure in place, a move for the midfielder is likely to take time, if he waits to see the outcome of their rebuild.
It would be a deal for a player described as a "superstar", but one that may not come with the same level of buy-in that Man United could get elsewhere.
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With that in mind, attention should turn towards players who can join quickly, and with a desire to play at Old Trafford to be part of the new project.
That buy-in will help Carrick continue to build the foundations that have got the club back into the Champions League, with aims of going even further in the future.