Manchester United are in the market for a midfielder this summer with the likes of Elliot Anderson on their wishlist whilst Sandro Tonali has been a target in the past
Adam Wharton is one of a number of midfielders on Man Utd's radar this summer
Adam Wharton is one of a number of midfielders on Man Utd's radar this summer(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)
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Manchester United's desire to add a midfielder this summer is pretty much the worst kept secret in football at this point - but the question is who they go for.
The market isn't short of quality midfielders, some of whom may well be eyeing their next career move, others less so. Either way they won't come cheap but United have finally turned a corner with recruitment and need to prove last summer wasn't a one off.
Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo have been big hits. Benjamin Sesko is certainly beginning to come good. The aforementioned duo were signed, in part, because they had Premier League experience and were proven performers in the top flight. They were also playing at clubs outside the top six, meaning they were certainly more attainable than, say, a midfielder at a direct rival. Following the same blueprint of recruitment puts Manchester bosses on the path to the likes of Adam Wharton or Elliot Anderson.
Wharton at Crystal Palace has continued to blossom at Selhurst Park, becoming an FA Cup winner with the Eagles, who have continued to see their best players seek pastures new.
Nottingham Forest's Anderson is another Englishman, tipped to go to the World Cup, who has thrived. He left Newcastle to move to the City Ground with the Magpies bemoaning their decision to let him go every since he departed. Eddie Howe hasn't shied away from calling out the PSR system, which he felt forced the sale.
Anderson is tipped to be on the move with United, as well as neighbours Manchester City and his former side Newcastle all in the hunt. The Magpies themselves could well be looking to replace one of their current stars in Sandro Tonali, who is on the radar of both Arsenal and Real Madrid as well as United after impressing in a black and white shirt.
Man Utd wanted Sandro Tonali before he moved to England
Man Utd wanted Sandro Tonali before he moved to England
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The Spanish giants had scouts present on Saturday night to watch Tonali close up, while Tonali's agent was said to be present for Arsenal's win at Brighton in midweek.
Manchester United's interest in Tonali is nothing new: the Italian was the subject of a last ditch transfer effort from the previous Old Trafford regime back in 2020. It clear he would be leaving Brescia at the time, but by the time Manchester United made a call to try and hijack a transfer, Tonali was already closing in on a move. He joined AC Milan just weeks later.
Reports in Italy claimed that United put in a call late in the day, but were too late with the deal too far along. The senior figures in Manchester at the time may have now moved on, but if Tonali is to be on the market, then the Red Devils' interest is longstanding.
Tonali, like Anderson and Wharton, would not come cheap. And while it feels inevitable that Anderson and Wharton are at the stage where they will leave their respective clubs this summer, Newcastle will likely put up a fight to keep Tonali and may have the power to ward off suitors should they once again qualify for the Champions League.
Elliot Anderson is tipped to leave Nottingham Forest this summer
Elliot Anderson is tipped to leave Nottingham Forest this summer(Image: Carl Recine, Getty Images)
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Intriguingly, United have also been privately advised to go after Tonali's midfield partner Bruno Guimaraes. Casemiro, who is set to depart Old Trafford this summer when his contract expires, has personally recommended Guimaraes as his replacement at United having played with him in the Brazil national team, reports AS.
Ruben Amorim pleaded with the club's bosses to let him bolster his midfield options, but he wasn't allowed to do so before his dismissal. He spent big on his frontline, which left a surplus when it came to their budget after £200m was spent on Mbeumo, Cunha and Sesko.
Their renaissance under Michael Carrick has their Champions League ambitions in their own hands, which would aid their efforts to sign new marquee players and also increase their budget.
Wharton and Anderson would appear to be higher on their shortlist, but Tonali and Guimaraes are outsiders. Brighton's Carlos Baleba was a target last summer, but came with a £100m price tag, proving that whoever they go for won't come on the cheap.