Manchester United are now ready to sign Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott after hitting a roadblock in their bid to buy Mateus Fernandes from West Ham United, according to the Daily Mail.
Man United quickly wrapped up their first summer agreement as they look to transform their central midfield this summer, with Ederson due to complete his move to Old Trafford after the World Cup after the club agreed a fee worth under £40m for the Brazil international.
The Red Devils want more new faces to boost their engine room, with Casemiro already departing and club chiefs willing to listen to offers for Uruguay star Manuel Ugarte.
United are keen on a deal to sign Fernandes from the recently-relegated Hammers, but any move has hit two obstacles, even though the player is keen to join to link up with Portuguese compatriot Bruno Fernandes.
Firstly, their Premier League rivals Tottenham Hotspur have recently entered the race to sign the 21-year-old, and they are willing to put large sums of money on the table to get their targets.
West Ham's £85m valuation of Fernandes is also proving prohibitive for United chiefs, as they look to only do business if the deal is right for them.
Scott could prove to be a cheaper alternative to the Portuguese star.
Man Utd Ready to Move for Alex Scott
England's Alex Scott smiles in a press conference
World Cup - UEFA Qualifiers - England Press Conference - Tottenham Hotspur Training Centre, London, Britain - November 11, 2025 England's Alex Scott during the press conference Pool via REUTERS/Bradley Collyer
via Reuters
According to the Daily Mail, United and Arsenal are now both tracking Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott as they look to bolster their midfields before next season.
The 22-year-old has jumped onto the radar of the country's biggest clubs following a standout campaign for the Cherries, whom he helped qualify for the Europa League with a sixth-place finish in the Premier League last term.
Scott came close to securing a spot in Thomas Tuchel's England squad for the 2026 World Cup, but even though he spent time with the Three Lions at their Florida camp prior to the tournament, he narrowly missed out on the final 26-man roster.
While Bournemouth don't want to lose Scott and are trying to tie him down to a new contract, they also recognise the growing interest in a player whose contract expires in 2028 from big clubs.
The Daily Mail claim that a bid of around £60m could be enough to successfully seal a deal which, if correct, would be a lower fee than they get Fernandes for currently.
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Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni lifts Champions League trophy
Aurelien Tchouameni with the Champions League trophy
via Reuters
One name that could be reemerging on United's radar is Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid.
Fabrizio Romano has suggested for months that he is the club's 'dream' Casemiro replacement at Old Trafford, but it had seemed unlikely that he would be leaving the Bernabeu in this window.
However, reports in recent days suggest that Real's stance on the France international could be changing, with the La Liga giants now open to a sale even though the 26-year-old is keen to stay.
United chiefs are said to have made it clear to Tchouameni's agents again that they are interested.
With a £70m price tag mentioned for Tchouameni this summer, don't be surprised if United make their move if it is confirmed that the defensive midfielder is allowed to go.