Manchester United are said to believe they can secure a discounted deal to sign one of the Premier League's best up-and-coming midfielders. The Red Devils have already strengthened their midfield this summer with the £34million signing of Ederson from Atalanta, making an early statement by snapping up the highly-rated Brazilian.
But having lost Casemiro ahead of next season, Michael Carrick will not be done there, and another midfield signing is highly likely at Old Trafford. West Ham star Mateus Fernandes is one of the latest to be linked, but reports now suggest there is another option on the table - and a cheap one, no less.
Carrick will need to make Man Utd midfield decision
Casemiro | Manchester United
The decision on which target United will decide on will likely come down to how Carrick sees his midfield playing next season. The recently-appointed Red Devils boss will have to decide whether he wants an out-and-out replacement for Casemiro, who operates as a physical presence in the holding midfield role.
Carrick may want a more direct replacement for the Brazilian, or he could opt for a change in style in the middle, going for more of a ball-playing holding midfielder who commands by looking after the ball and keeping things tight with smart positioning.
The aforementioned Fernandes is somewhere between the two, but he is more of a technical player than Casemiro, who is one of the most physically dominant midfielders of his generation.
Alex Scott emerges as transfer alternative
Alex Scott
Alex Scott
Having already signed Ederson from Atalanta, Carrick may opt to go with a more straightforward midfield rather than playing with a pivot. That is perhaps why the Red Devils are being linked with a move for AFC Bournemouth star Alex Scott. GIVEMESPORT understands that United and Liverpool both have Scott on their radar this summer, although Bournemouth are hopeful he will pen a new deal on the south coast.
Scott, who is a more attack-minded player, is coming off the back of a superb campaign with AFC Bournemouth, helping them to European qualification and only missing one Premier League game along the way. The 22-year-old was one of the standout midfielders in the Premier League during the season just gone and almost won an England World Cup spot. In fact, he was invited to train with the Three Lions for their World Cup camp and likely would have been a replacement had a midfielder picked up an injury.
Back in November, then Bournemouth boss Andoni Iraola said of Scott: "Alex [Scott] has been like this for many months. He was amazing. He's in such good form. I'm so happy for him. He's worked a lot to be at this level."
A report in the Athletic claims Scott is firmly on United's shortlist, and that the Red Devils believe they may be able to sign him for £60million. Now would be the time to strike, with the Cherries said to be working on a new deal to extend his stay beyond 2028, and that deal is said to be likely to carry a £75million release clause that Bournemouth would likely demand is met.
Michael Carrick Related
Better Than Ederson: Man Utd Leading Race to Sign 'Unbelievable' Star
Man Utd are set for a busy summer transfer window.