Manchester United have made enquiries for Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, according to Mundo Deportivo (page 20, Bizkaia Arabia edition).
The Red Devils are poised to make multiple midfield signings this summer. They have already reached an agreement to land Ederson from Serie A side Atalanta.
Talks are also underway with West Ham United for Mateus Fernandes, and there is optimism that a deal will eventually be struck to purchase the Portuguese.
United could pursue a third midfielder after Fernandes, particularly if Manuel Ugarte leaves.
Mundo Deportivo claim that United continue to consider Casado and have not forgotten about him.
It is added that his agent, Jorge Mendes, has influenced the transfer interest, and the Red Devils have already made enquiries about the La Masia graduate.
Casado could be signed if Ugarte departs
The Red Devils are guaranteed to land two midfielders in the current transfer window, and a third is dependent on Ugarte heading through the exit door.
That could happen too. The Uruguayan played second fiddle to Casemiro for the number six role and was an unused substitute towards the end of the campaign.
There were games in which manager Michael Carrick preferred to pair Kobbie Mainoo with Mason Mount, while Ugarte was left unused for the entire 90 minutes.
It is quite clear that Carrick does not fancy him. With Galatasaray, Napoli and Atletico Madrid keen, United could be prepared to cut their losses on the Uruguayan.
This could open the door for a deal for Casado. The 22-year-old Spaniard is a strong ball-playing midfielder with brilliant control and rarely loses possession.
Ugarte’s tendency to lose the ball has been a demerit over the past year. Casado could be signed for £22 million, which would represent a bargain given his potential.