Hoping to get one over on their rivals, Manchester United have now reportedly joined Arsenal in the race to sign Quinten Timber, whose contract is set to expire next summer.
Ruben Amorim's midfield has been a topic of discussion ever since his arrival. The Portuguese manager revived Casemiro from a player destined to leave to an invaluable part of his side, but that has also come at a cost for Kobbie Mainoo. In an attempt to find balance, the academy graduate has struggled to get into the side.
As things stand, it looks like Casemiro and captain Bruno Fernandes will occupy the two deeper midfield roles in Amorim's system when everyone is available for United. But there does lie one problem.
Casemiro is 33 years old and can't go on forever, no matter how much his form has been revived. And with Manuel Ugarte still unable to find his feet at Old Trafford, Man United could do with a long-term solution.
Rumours centred around Carlos Baleba in the summer as the Red Devils attempted to do exactly that, before the midfielder stayed put at Brighton & Hove Albion, and it's clearly something that INEOS are looking to address.
It seems as though the Brighton man remains a target, but he's now not the only one on United's shortlist. Atlético Madrid's Conor Gallagher, another name on the shortlist, is now reportedly open to an Old Trafford switch, whilst INEOS could yet land an alternative bargain deal to end their problems once and for all.
Man Utd join Quinten Timber race
According to Caught Offside, Man United have now joined the race to sign Timber and could yet jump ahead of Arsenal in pursuit of his signature.
The Gunners already have Quinten's twin brother, Jurrien, in their ranks but may be forced to watch on as the two siblings do battle rather than unite in the Premier League next year.
Quinten Timber
There's little chance that those at Old Trafford will be priced out of a move for the 25-year-old, too, as was the case with Baleba in the summer. The Dutch midfielder is set to become a free agent at the end of his current Feyenoord deal in June — handing Arsenal and Man United the chance to land a bargain deal.
Dubbed "underrated" by U23 scout Antonio Mango last year, Timber is also attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund, who are leading the race for his signature. Both Man United and Arsenal must first fend off competition from the Bundesliga giants before doing battle themselves next summer.
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