Manchester United are currently focused on bringing in a new centre-forward, with RB Leipzig's Benjamin Sesko their leading target, while the club are also in the market for a goalkeeper.
However, it is entirely possible that a central midfielder will also arrive, as it is an area that head coach Ruben Amorim is looking to strengthen before the summer transfer window closes for business.
Just how much money is available for a midfielder remains to be seen, with Man United needing to move players on, and departures for Antony, Jadon Sancho, Alejandro Garnacho and Tyrell Malacia would place them in a strong position when it comes to boosting the midfield department.
With that in mind, Sports Mole looks at six potential midfield arrivals for the 20-time English champions before the end of the market, including possible asking prices.
Barcelona's Fermin Lopez reacts on May 18, 2025
Potential asking price: £61m
Man United are long-term admirers of Fermin, and recent reports in Spain have claimed that t**he Red Devils are prepared to make a big-money bid** for the midfielder before the end of the transfer window.
The 22-year-old made 46 appearances for Barcelona last season, scoring eight goals and registering 10 assists in the process, while he has 19 goals and 11 assists in his 88 first-team appearances for the club in total.
Fermin is a high-energy attacking midfielder who is capable of providing goals and assists.
Man United would have a huge job on their hands when it comes to convincing him to leave Camp Nou, but the club are believed to be willing to double his salary to move to Old Trafford.
This might be a deal for later in the window, as Barcelona are keen to move a midfielder on this summer, and they would find it tough to reject an offer in excess of £61m for a player who is not a guaranteed starter.
Atalanta's Ederson in action on November 6, 2024
Potential asking price: £61m
Like Fermin, Atalanta midfielder Ederson would not come cheap, with the 26-year-old regarded as one of the best central midfielders in world football, and he had an excellent 2024-25 campaign.
Indeed, the Brazilian scored five goals and registered two assists in 49 appearances, and he fits the brief in terms of the type of midfielder that Amorim wants due to his high-energy style.
Ederson is good for a goal too, having scored 13 times in his 139 appearances for Atalanta, in addition to providing four assists, but his best work comes off the ball, and he could thrive alongside Bruno Fernandes in central midfield.
There is nothing imminent when it comes to Ederson and Man United, but the Red Devils are known admirers of him, and once the transfer funds are in place, a big-money offer from the Premier League giants could arrive.
Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder Carlos Baleba in September 2024.
Potential asking price: £70m
Baleba has starred for Brighton since arriving from Lille in the summer of 2023, making 77 appearances for the Seagulls, including 40 outings in all competitions during the 2024-25 campaign.
The 21-year-old has the potential to become one of the leading central midfielders in world football.
The Cameroon international is an incredible defensive midfielder due to his energy and ability to perform at a high intensity for long periods, but he is also excellent in possession of the ball.
Man United are said to be long-term admirers of Baleba, but there is not a club in world football that would not be interested in the midfielder if it became clear that he was available for transfer.
“If I don’t get a striker, I’d go midfield. There’s only one name I’m thinking about, I’ve got to be honest, who I think fits the bill for what we need," ex-Red Devils captain Rio Ferdinand recently said on his official YouTube account.
“An Amorim-type player as well. Physically great, can drive with the ball, can take it in all areas, very good tactically, great energy, great legs, Premier League experience, centre midfield. (Carlos) Baleba. That’s who I go and get. That’s my man. That’s the one I go and get. I go and break the bank.”
It would take at least £70m for Brighton to remotely consider a sale this summer.
Sporting Lisbon's Morten Hjulmand pictured on November 4, 2024
Potential asking price: £60m
The release clause in Hjulmand's Sporting contract is believed to be set at £69m, but it is likely that he would be allowed to leave for closer to £60m during this summer's transfer window.
Red Devils boss Amorim is a known admirer of Hjulmand, having managed the Denmark international at Sporting, and he is an interesting option for Man United considering his skillset.
The 26-year-old lacks the legs of some of the players on this list, but he is technically superb, while he has scored seven goals and registered six assists in his 97 appearances for Sporting in all competitions.
The midfielder was in strong form for the Lisbon giants last term, scoring three goals and registering two assists in 47 appearances in all competitions.
Juventus are also believed to be keen on signing the Dane during this summer's transfer window, and he is expected to be on the move ahead of the deadline.
Valencia's Javi Guerra in action on September 28, 2024
Potential asking price: £20m
Guerra is the cheapest option on this list, and there is believed to be genuine interest from Man United in the midfielder, although Valencia are working to sign him to a new contract.
The 22-year-old is regarded as one of the best young midfielders in La Liga, representing Valencia on 89 occasions in all competitions, scoring eight goals and registering four assists in the process.
Guerra managed three goals and three assists in 38 appearances for Valencia last term, and he is expected to be available for a fee in the region of £20m, including add-ons.
AC Milan are also keen on the Spaniard, while as mentioned, Valencia have not given up hope of convincing him to sign a new deal, but he is a leading midfield target for Man United at this stage of proceedings.
Guerra is an all-rounder, and his technical abilities could make him an excellent player in the Premier League, while he also stands at 6ft 2in and would give Man United a physical presence in a key area.
Andre of Wolverhampton Wanderers during his side's match against Everton, on March 8, 2025
Potential asking price: £30m
Andre enjoyed an excellent 2025-26 campaign for Wolves, making 36 appearances in all competitions, and it is believed that his performance level has put him on the radars of a number of high-level clubs.
The Brazilian completed 93% of his passes in the Premier League last summer, according to Sofascore, while he also won 59% of his duels, showing his offensive and defensive capabilities.
There have been suggestions that the 24-year-old could be available for as little as £30m this summer, making him a bargain considering his performance level during the recent season.
Andre scored four goals and registered four assists in 197 appearances for Fluminense ahead of his move to Wolves, and there is also believed to be interest in him from Liverpool.
Wolves will be reluctant to let another key player leave this summer, and they have already sold Matheus Cunha to Man United in the current window, but the club could now lose another of their stars to the 20-time English champions.
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