Manchester United’s pursuit of a third midfielder this summer has seen their shortlist reduced after Paris Saint-Germain effectively ended their interest in Warren Zaire-Emery. Director of football Jason Wilcox had identified six potential candidates, but Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that PSG are unwilling to sell the young midfielder, describing him as a “dream target” beyond United’s reach.
The Red Devils are operating under a more cautious spending policy this window, following the takeover by Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS, and have already secured the signings of Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos for a combined £85 million. Previous targets Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali were deemed too expensive, costing a combined £301 million.
The remaining candidates include Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, Ayyoub Bouaddi of Lille, Roma’s Manu Kone, and Fulham’s Sander Berge. However, according to TEAMtalk correspondent Graeme Bailey, a move for Carlos Baleba is now off the table due to cost, and the chances of signing Scott are slim, with Bournemouth unwilling to sell despite the player rejecting a new contract.
Romano has indicated that a move for Manu Kone is the most realistic option currently, with United having held initial talks with the player’s representatives last week. While a bid has not yet been made, Romano suggests that the reported price tag of €85m-€90m is inaccurate, implying a lower fee may be possible. Roma manager Gian Piero Gasperini has also suggested he would not prevent Kone from leaving, as the Serie A club look to balance their finances.
This strategic approach reflects a shift in United’s transfer policy, prioritizing value and avoiding overspending. The addition of a defensively-minded midfielder remains a priority, and the club will carefully assess their options before making a final decision. Securing Kone would provide a solid base in midfield and allow Erik ten Hag to further refine his squad.
