Manchester United have held talks with Real Madrid's Eduardo Camavinga's agents, as Michael Carrick's side explore a move for a third midfielder.
Manchester United's current midfield situation is interesting...
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Manchester United are exploring their options for a third midfield signing after completing the deals to sign Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans.
While Tielemans is yet to feature for the Red Devils, Santos made his United debut against Wrexham in the opening match of pre-season.
The Brazilian impressed in a difficult first 45 minutes for Michael Carrick's strongest side, and will be hoping he can do the same against Rosenborg on Friday, 24 July, in Norway.
Tielemans will join up with the United squad once his three-week post-World Cup break is over. And United will be hoping he will return at the same time as a third midfield signing.
Director of Football Jason Wilcox is still looking at several options, including AFC Bournemouth's Alex Scott, Real Madrid's Aurélien Tchouaméni, and AS Roma's Manu Kone.
Eduardo Camavinga was linked with Manchester United earlier in the transfer window, but reports have died down recently.
Fabrizio Romano – via his YouTube channel – has reported that United have held talks with Eduardo Camavinga's representatives to understand his situation.
He said: "Manchester United had conversations with the agents of Camavinga to understand the situation of the player, and they did the same with Manu Kone a few days or weeks ago.
"So, Man Utd are still looking for a defensive midfielder. But, as I always told you on Camavinga, the only way to get Camavinga, whether it’s Man Utd or any other club, is to get a green light from the player.
"And, at the moment, the message coming from Camavinga, and it’s the same, May, June, July, is that Camavinga wants to work under Jose Mourinho and then try to stay at Real Madrid, try to revive his career at Real Madrid.
"So, Camavinga doesn’t want to leave Real Madrid. Camavinga wants to stay."
Eduardo Camavinga would be a brilliant signing for Manchester United, but it does not seem like a realistic deal, especially given that he does not want to leave Real Madrid. Tchouaméni seems more likely.
From the options that seem available to United, AS Roma's Manu Kone could be the pick of the bunch.
The Frenchman had an excellent World Cup for Didier Deschamps' side – even displacing Tchouaméni on ocassion.
Recent reports have suggested that he could be available for just over £40 million, fitting in with United's other two midfield signings this summer.