Manchester United have already signed two midfielders (Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans) this summer, but have reportedly agreed a deal to sign a third.
Manchester United's latest midfield situation...
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Manchester United are still looking for their third midfield signing this summer, having lost Casemiro at the end of the season when his contract expired.
Éderson looked set to be the first midfielder through the door, but the transfer collapsed after the World Cup – with an issue in the medical seeming to be the problem.
Andrey Santos was the first official signing of the summer. He moved to Old Trafford for £48 million, with another £2 million in add-ons that United are reportedly expecting to pay.
Then came Youri Tielemans. The former Leicester City midfielder signed for Manchester United for £35 million due to a release clause in his Aston Villa contract.
Manchester United have spent just over £80 million on midfielders this summer. The third midfielder could be more expensive, but United could be looking to sign another player in the £30-50 million range. Enter Manu Kone.
Corriere dello Sport have reported that Manchester United have an agreement in principle with Manu Kone's representatives.
United are reportedly ready to submit a £43 million bid for the Frenchman, although this may not be enough to sign him. There are other sides interested in Kone (likely due to his impressive World Cup), so the price could yet be driven higher.
The report states that United are leading the race and are in "continuous" contact with Manu Kone's entourage.
With Santos and Tielemans already through the door, adding Kone to the midfield ranks could indicate a change in midfield philosophy at Manchester United.
In recent years, United have played one defensive midfielder (tasked with winning the ball back), one box-to-box player (who does a little bit of everything), and an attacking midfielder (who does what it says on the tin). However, the new signings suggest that balance could change.
Kone, Santos and Tielemans are not out-and-out defensive midfielders. They are not players who thrive without the ball and love the defensive side of the game. At the same time, they are also not players who would neglect out-of-possession attributes. They are all players who can do a bit of everything.
Just like Kobbie Mainoo.
Perhaps that could indicate that Michael Carrick is looking to play a midfield with two box-to-box midfielders beyond a No.10 (Bruno Fernandes). In every attack, one may join the No.10 in attack, while the other sits deeper. Then it will change the following attack.
If United sign Alex Scott that philosophy could still be followed, but maybe not with Tchouaméni.