Manchester United are prepared to spend in the region of £150 million to sign three central midfielders this summer, provided there is sufficient room in the transfer budget.
Marquee Signing to Replace Casemiro
Daily Mail Sport understands that United have earmarked around £80 million for a marquee signing to replace Casemiro, who will depart at the end of his contract despite hopes among some fans that he might extend his stay at Old Trafford.
United are aware that their primary target, Elliot Anderson, is likely to cost in excess of £100 million, and Manchester City are in pole position to secure the Nottingham Forest star.
Other names under consideration include Brighton's Carlos Baleba, Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton, Newcastle midfielder Sandro Tonali, and Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni. However, United's interest in Tonali has cooled slightly, and Tchouameni is seeking a new contract at the Bernabeu.
Additional Midfield Targets
United are willing to spend approximately £40 million on another midfielder to replace Manuel Ugarte, provided they can secure a reasonable price for the Uruguayan, who cost £50 million from Paris Saint-Germain two years ago.
West Ham's Mateus Fernandes has emerged as a player of interest, while Bournemouth duo Alex Scott and Tyler Adams also fall into this category.
Despite tying Kobbie Mainoo to a new long-term contract, United could strengthen their squad further by signing a third midfielder for around £20 million. Scouts have been monitoring the progress of Southampton's Shea Charles.
Budget and Other Transfers
However, the extent of spending will depend on available funds, with United expected to bring in a left-sided forward, left-back, central defender, and a reserve goalkeeper in the summer.
The club will have considerably more to spend after confirming their return to the Champions League by beating Liverpool on Sunday, a feat worth in excess of £100 million.
United also hope to generate significant transfer fees from the sales of Rasmus Hojlund, Marcus Rashford, Andre Onana, Ugarte, and possibly Joshua Zirkzee, while freeing up wage bill space by offloading Casemiro, Jadon Sancho, Tyrell Malacia, and Altay Bayindir.
