Manchester United’s plan to overhaul the midfield this summer just got more complicated. After missing out on Elliot Anderson and getting priced out of moves for Aurelien Tchouameni and Alex Scott, the club has reportedly drawn up a shortlist of three fallback options.
The Anderson deal stung. Nottingham Forest sold him to Manchester City for £116 million earlier this month, and United never really got close. Then came the Scott situation. Bournemouth’s playmaker turned down a new contract, which briefly gave the Red Devils hope, but the Cherries have made it clear they won’t sell him at any price. That’s a hard no. Chelsea’s £64 million offer didn’t change their stance either.
Tchouameni remains a long shot. Some people inside Old Trafford still think Real Madrid might let him go, but Fabrizio Romano reports the Frenchman is likely to stay. He’s supposedly close to agreeing a new deal in Spain.
So Michael Carrick’s side is moving on. According to The Guardian, United now has a three-man list: Manu Kone, Eduardo Camavinga, and Sander Berge.
Three Targets, Three Different Paths
Kone currently plays for Roma and is also on Arsenal’s radar. French outlet L’Equipe says United has already made an approach for him. Corriere dello Sport goes even further, claiming personal terms have been agreed. That feels like a step beyond just interest, but nothing is official yet.
Camavinga is the big-name option. He’s still at Real Madrid, but his future there isn’t rock solid. The same Spanish reports that say Madrid wants to sell him to free up space for Rodri — who’s out of contract at City next year — also suggest Camavinga wants to stay in Spain. That’s a problem for United. INEOS would prefer Camavinga or Berge, but getting the Frenchman out of Madrid won’t be easy.
Berge is the third name and probably the most straightforward. The Fulham man has been on United’s radar for a while. He’s not flashy, but he’s consistent and Premier League proven. If the club wants a reliable body in the midfield without a drawn-out negotiation, he’s the guy.
United already brought in Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans earlier this summer, so the midfield isn’t bare. But Carrick clearly wants more depth, especially with the Scott and Tchouameni doors closing. Kone might be the most realistic get right now, especially if those personal terms reports are accurate.
For now, it’s a waiting game. Camavinga’s camp isn’t pushing for a move. Bournemouth isn’t budging on Scott. And City has Anderson locked in. United needs to pick a lane and push.
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