Manchester United are currently in a stronger position than Chelsea to secure the signing of Felix Nmecha from Borussia Dortmund, according to reports. The pursuit comes as United seek to bolster their central midfield options this summer, having previously missed out on targets such as Elliot Anderson, who joined Manchester City for £116 million, and Mateus Fernandes, who opted for Tottenham Hotspur.
United also saw a potential move for Sandro Tonali fall through, with the Italian international also heading to Tottenham in a deal worth £100 million. While Brazilian midfielder Ederson is set to join after the World Cup for a fee of £35 million, manager Erik ten Hag is still keen to add further quality to the squad.
According to The Athletic’s Mark Critchley, Nmecha and Bournemouth’s Alex Scott are the two players currently under consideration. A key advantage for United in the pursuit of Nmecha lies with director of football Jason Wilcox, who previously oversaw the player’s development at Manchester City’s academy. Wilcox’s existing relationship with Nmecha could potentially lower Dortmund’s asking price.
Critchley revealed that Dortmund are reportedly seeking a fee exceeding €100 million (£86 million) for Nmecha, but United are not deterred, believing the German club are generally open to selling players. Nmecha progressed through Manchester City’s academy, making three senior appearances before moving to Wolfsburg in 2021 and subsequently to Dortmund. He has since established himself as a prominent player in the Bundesliga. Sources indicate that Nmecha could be available for under €100 million. Newcastle United had previously shown interest but have since withdrawn due to the associated costs. The potential for Nmecha to fulfil homegrown quota requirements is also a factor for United.
