Manchester United's priority is set to be the addition of at least one new central midfielder this summer, with the impending departure of Casemiro only set to elevate the need for reinforcements ahead of next season.
The Red Devils currently only have Manuel Ugarte as a senior midfield option in reserve, albeit with the difference in quality rather stark when the Uruguayan is on the field, with three of this season's six Premier League defeats having come when the 24-year-old has started.
Ugarte notably started five league games in succession across December and January, a run that saw United win just once, further evidence of why significant upgrades are required in that department.
Manuel-Ugarte-Man-Utd
That ongoing search is likely to see the INEOS regime once again look at Premier League-proven options, amid the success of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha this season, with the Old Trafford side lasering in on a handful of potential statement signings.
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As already stated, it's no secret that United are pursuing midfield signings this summer, while it's also no secret who INEOS are in the mix for, with reports on Monday suggesting that talks have been held regarding a move for £100m-rated Newcastle United man, Sandro Tonali.
The Italian has long had admirers in Manchester by all accounts, with the same also true of ex-Newcastle starlet, Elliot Anderson, following reports that it is the rising England international who is actually United's leading target.
A further complication in the midfield search is also the future of skipper, Bruno Fernandes, with any potential exit likely to spark the need for the arrival of a new playmaker, as well as the likes of Tonali and/or Anderson in a deeper role.
Anderson vs Tonali - 25/26 PL stats
Anderson
31
2
2
86%
1.5
6
2.9
1.1
55%
18.0
With that in mind, TEAMtalk have shared the latest on arguably the perfect candidate for Fernandes' number ten berth, amid claims that INEOS are exploring a deal for Chelsea talisman, Cole Palmer.
The report suggests that intermediaries are gauging the interest of top clubs ahead of a potential Stamford Bridge exit for the Three Lions star, with Palmer's affinity to United putting the Old Trafford side in a prime position to pounce.
Most valuable players in the Premier League (Haaland, Saka, Rice, Palmer, Wirtz, Isak, Szoboszlai)
The primary obstacle, understandably, is likely to be a financial one, with the piece outlining that it could take £100m or even as much as £150m for the Blues to sanction a sale, thus eclipsing United's current club-record purchase of Paul Pogba on an £89m deal.
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There's no denying that landing either of Anderson or Tonali would represent a significant coup for the INEOS regime, with the former likely to be a centre-piece of Thomas Tuchel's side at this summer's World Cup, while the latter may well be the star attraction for Italy, provided the 2006 winners can emerge victorious from Tuesday's play-off final against Bosnia.
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The Magpies will not have a repeat of the Alexander Isak situation.
Both have endured somewhat difficult campaigns in the Premier League, however, with Anderson part of a Nottingham Forest side still in the mix for relegation, while Tonali has failed to score a single league goal amid something of a dip for the Magpies under Eddie Howe's watch.
Palmer, it must be said, hasn't been at his sparkling best either, although it's hard to ignore just what a sensation the 23-year-old is, having still chipped in with nine league goals during an injury-hit campaign in west London.
Cole Palmer in-article graphic
Since his arrival from Manchester City back in 2023, the boyhood United fan has already registered 85 goals and assists in just 122 games, a ridiculous record considering he had made just 41 first-team appearances back at the Etihad prior to that.
For comparison, in that same time frame, the aforementioned Fernandes boasts a remarkably similar record, having registered 91 goal involvements in 135 games in all competitions, since the start of 2023/24.
cole palmer
That highlights the level that Palmer has operated at for Chelsea to date, with his prior form having seen the balletic left-footer deemed the "best player in the Premier League" by Sky Sports' Jamie Carragher in the recent past.
That status may well now belong to Fernandes, but if fit and firing again, Palmer could certainly represent a prime candidate to succeed the Portuguese genius in Manchester, while also boasting the flexibility to be able to feature off the right flank too if required.
Such suitability to be Fernandes' replacement can also be seen in the fact that the Englishman finished second behind only the United man for chances created in the Premier League season, while in terms of 'big chances' created, only Mo Salah (27) bettered Palmer's tally of 24.
He's the cream of the crop when it comes to top-flight playmakers, having also led Chelsea to Club World Cup glory last summer, with there an effortless brilliance to the way he operates in between the lines.
After what he has already achieved at the Bridge, it's easy to see why he would represent a far more exciting and marquee capture than that of Tonali and Anderson, not least considering his potential £150m asking price, with this the type of signing that could truly prove a game-changer as far as United are concerned.
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