Manchester United have prioritised an elite midfield addition next yearplaceholder image
Manchester United have prioritised an elite midfield addition next year | Manchester United via Getty Images
Man Utd have prioritised the addition of a midfielder next year and a top target won't come cheap.
Manchester United could break their club-record transfer fee to sign a top midfield target next year. United have made it a priority to refresh their midfield options at the end of the season and could sign two players in the position.
Ruben Amorim would love to sign a midfielder with Premier League experience in an effort to improve the physicality and athleticism of his first-team squad. There is also a desire to have players who can cope with the demands of playing two matches a week as United targets a return to European competition. Amorim believes there is 'less risk' attached to signing a player who has already shone in the English top-flight.
Elliot Anderson has emerged as a top transfer target alongside Adam Wharton, while there is still interest in Carlos Baleba. Brighton used the previous sale of Moises Caicedo to Chelsea for £115 million as a benchmark for any Baleba sale, though his price could drop after a mixed start to the Premier League season.
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Manchester United could spend £100m on new midfielder
Anderson and Wharton are both expected to cost in excess of £100m, and their values could rise even higher if they star for England at the World Cup next summer. United are also interested in cheaper options such as Joao Gomes and Angelo Stiller, but know it will likely take a club-record fee to sign an elite option next year. United's current transfer record is still the £89 million they spent to bring Paul Pogba back to the club from Juventus in 2016.
United only have four senior central midfielders on their books, and there are doubts over all of those already at the club. Casemiro could leave when his contract expires at the end of the season, and there is strong transfer interest in Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker will be allowed to leave if he wants to, though he has already indicated he will not decide on his future until after the World Cup.
Kobbie Mainoo is unhappy with his lack of playing time and has suffered from a reduced fixture schedule this season, while Manuel Ugarte has struggled ever since he joined from Paris Saint-Germain a year ago.
United have already reached a preliminary agreement to sign Colombian teenager Cristian Orozco from Fortaleza FC for an initial $1 million (£740,000). The 17-year-old will only officially move to Manchester when he turns 18 in July 2026. Orozco is viewed as a project player with long-term potential rather than any immediate expectations to play.
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