Manchester United are set to prioritise the addition of a midfielder in their next transfer window, with Carlos Baleba and Conor Gallagher among six potential targets. Ruben Amorim, the club’s manager, spent a significant portion of his summer budget on bolstering the attack, leaving insufficient funds for midfield reinforcements. The current options, including Casemiro and Bruno Fernandes, have raised some doubts.
Casemiro’s contract is nearing its end, while Fernandes continues to be associated with a high-profile departure. Young talent Kobbie Mainoo has yet to establish himself under Amorim, sparking rumours that he may also be transferred. Baleba was previously linked with a £100million move to Old Trafford and was thought to be keen on a summer transfer, but the deal never materialised.
Despite a dip in form this season at the Amex, he remains on United’s shortlist following an impressive debut campaign.
Meanwhile, former Chelsea captain Gallagher was rumoured to be considering a loan move to Manchester, but Atletico Madrid are only interested in a permanent sale.
His playing time has decreased this season and he is open to returning to England, although the nature of the deal could pose a significant obstacle.
Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson, two rising stars of English football, are also on United’s radar. Both players have experienced rapid career progress and are expected to feature at next summer’s World Cup, which will undoubtedly increase their market value.
Wharton, currently tied down at Crystal Palace until 2029, has shown no inclination to leave and the Eagles are expected to demand a hefty fee if he were ever to be sold.
Anderson finds himself in a similar situation at Nottingham Forest in spite of the club’s struggles, with Newcastle rumoured to be interested in bringing him back.
Chelsea playmaker Andrey Santos is also on United’s radar as an ambitious target. The Brazilian was mentioned during preliminary discussions that eventually led to Alejandro Garnacho’s move to Stamford Bridge, according to talkSPORT.
Last season, he was with Strasbourg and considered his options during the summer, but always wanted to give Chelsea the opportunity to demonstrate that he had a role to play, with his game time steadily increasing.
A less familiar name being monitored is Angelo Stiller of Stuttgart. The Germany international, who is open to a Premier League move, is thought to be under United’s watchful eye.
Stiller has a release clause of approximately £35m, but Stuttgart can pay a fee of around £1.5m to remove that from his contract.