Manchester United have reportedly put together a shortlist of five potential midfield targets for the remainder of the summer transfer window.
Earlier in the off-season, the Red Devils successfully strengthened their defensive and attacking departments with the signings of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee.
Both deals were deemed as necessities by the football operations team at Old Trafford, yet they have not made any notable progress in their efforts to bring in a fresh face for the engine room.
Widespread reports have suggested that Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Manuel Ugarte is the preferred choice to partner Kobbie Mainoo in the centre of the pitch for 2024-25.
As it stands, though, an impasse has been reached in negotiations with the French giants, a consequence of United not being prepared to meet the Uruguay international's £51m valuation.
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United ready to scour market for alternative?
With the new Premier League campaign kicking off on August 16, there is growing pressure on United's hierarchy to deliver a new midfielder for head coach Erik ten Hag.
According to The Mirror, there are as many as five players who United are prepared to consider for an arrival at the Theatre of Dreams over the coming weeks.
Of the quintet, only two played in England last season, with Burnley's Sander Berge said to be viewed as a potential incoming after the Clarets' relegation.
The other is Sofyan Amrabat, the Fiorentina player who spent last season on loan at United and went on to make 17 starts and 13 substitute outings in all competitions.
United could have activated a buy option in their agreed terms with I Viola earlier in the summer, yet they opted not to do so in order to assess alternatives.
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Who are the remaining three?
Real Sociedad's Martin Zubimendi is perhaps the most notable of the other three players, the 25-year-old having recently featured on four occasions for Spain during their Euro 2024 triumph.
Arsenal have also been linked with an approach, yet the most likely outcome appears to be spending at least another season at his boyhood club.
United may choose to take advantage of Youssouf Fofana's situation at Monaco, the France international having just one year left on his contract at the Ligue 1 outfit.
Meanwhile, Palmeiras star Richard Rios allegedly remains an option having just impressed for Colombia at the Copa America.
The 24-year-old has already accumulated 85 appearances for the Brazilian giants since arriving in 2023, and the option may be there for Palmeiras to make a substantial profit.
Darren Plant
