Manchester United have wrapped up deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans but are still in the market for one more midfielder ahead of the new Premier League season
Manu Kone looks on during a France match
Manu Kone is a player Manchester United are thought to be interested in(Image: Stefan Koops/EYE4IMAGES)
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Manchester United entered the summer transfer window with big plans and as we approach the end of World Cup, things are now starting to take shape.
Considering the peak of the summer transfer activity is unlikely to be hit until the World Cup is over, United have been proactive in the market, wrapping up deals for Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
And with those two now in the building, the midfield overhaul the club have spent months planning for would now appear to be in its final stages.
The Red Devils are expected to pursue one more central midfielder to further enhance Michael Carrick's squad — but who will it be? We take a look at five potential options...
1) Manu Kone
With France now out of the World Cup, it wouldn't be a surprise if things were to advance with Kone.
The AS Roma star has been touted as a target for United in recent days and is the perfect profile for the type of midfielder are looking for to complement the likes of their new captures and Kobbie Mainoo.
Kone is coming off the back of a superb World Cup campaign and it's unlikely Manchester United will be his only suitors. But with the Premier League very much seen as the place to be, then there is every chance United would have a strong chance of landing the 25-year-old if they decide he is the final piece of their midfield jigsaw.
2) Eduardo Camavinga
Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid lines up prior to the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Knockout Play-off Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and SL Benfica
Eduardo Camavinga has been linked with Manchester United this week(Image: UEFA via Getty Images)
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Okay, so Aurelien Tchouameni is now looking like a non-starter due to the fact that he's understood to have agreed a new contract at Real Madrid. But could Camavinga offer a viable alternative?
He is another player who has been mentioned in recent days and has the pedigree that would make him an attractive signing for Manchester United. As 22 years of age, he's a long way off his peak, too. The big downside, though, is that as things stand, Camavinga has no desire to leave the Bernabeu this summer. But if that changes as the weeks tick by, then Manchester United could see Camavinga as the cherry on top of the cake when it comes to their midfield business this summer.
3) Alex Scott
Alex Scott of Bournemouth celebrates after he scores a goal to make it 2-1 during the Premier League match between Arsenal and Bournemouth at Emirates Stadium
Alex Scott is admired by plenty of the Premier League's big guns(Image: Robin Jones - AFC Bournemouth/AFC Bournemouth via Getty Images)
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Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha both had a significant impact after joining Manchester United last summer. And with Santos and Tielemans two other Premier League-ready recruits, perhaps another domestic move for Scott will emerge as the most attractive option for the Old Trafford hierarchy.
Bournemouth were ransacked for several top talents last year and are desperate to keep hold of Scott, whose stellar 2025-26 campaign put him on Thomas Tuchel's radar for England. He would also likely command a transfer fee north of £70m.
But the pros of this deal would far outweigh the cons — if United were able to fend off reported rival interest from some of their 'Big Six' rivals.
4) Ayyoub Bouaddi
Ayyoub Bouaddi of Morocco
Lille's Ayyoub Bouaddi had a breakout World Cup campaign with Morocco(Image: Daniela Porcelli/Getty Images)
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Few players have enhanced their reputations as much as Bouaddi during the World Cup, with the uber-talented teenager playing a starring role in Morocco's run to the quarter-finals.
The 18-year-old now seems destined for a blockbuster summer transfer with a whole host of European heavyweights understood to hold an interest in him, including Manchester City. Whether or not United will pull the trigger remains to be seen, particularly given Lille would likely demand €100m (£85m). But there is no doubt Bouaddi will be on their radar as they ponder one final midfield move.
5) Ederson
A move for Ederson collapsed earlier this month(Image: Getty Images)
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He was supposed to be Manchester United's first summer signing before things took a turn late last week. But could Ederson still end up at Old Trafford as part of project Midfield Overhaul? Stranger things have happened.
It's been reported that a knee issue led to United backing out of talks. But there have already been whispers that the deal could be resurrected later this summer depending on how the transfer window progresses for all parties. Given United have already done their due diligence on Ederson, it would make sense for them to revisit a deal for him if they encounter further difficulties in their search for a third central midfielder.
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