After fixing two of their major problems (a CB and a RWF) United now look forward to signing a defensive midfielder for their upcoming lineup and with the reports of the upcoming 4-3-3 attacking lineup this season, the need for a DM is a clear priority.
Let’s have a look at the possible options:
1) Declan Rice
One of the fan favorites for Manchester United this transfer window. The England international has excelled with club and country throughout the past year, helping West Ham qualify for next season’s Europa League.
However, the West Ham player is valued at £100m, which currently makes him unobtainable for United considering the money already spent.
There were reports that United will consider including Jesse Lingard in an exchange deal. But there is no chance that West Ham would let their best player go for any less than their valuation.
2) Ruben Neves
A budgetary substitute for the overpriced Rice. The Wolves midfielder made 86 tackles, 22 blocked shots, 65 interceptions, and 1979 passes in the league last season.
Reports suggest Neves could leave Wolves for around £35m. Given his price tag, and the funds United have left , the club is most likely to make a move.
3) Eduardo Camavinga
A signing for the future, in case it goes through. The midfielder averaged over 4 tackles per game in Ligue 1, one of the highest in Europe.
He is the second-youngest midfielder to have represented France at international level, even scoring in one of the games against Ukraine.
Given he is in the final year of his contract, Rennes would likely sell him for £30 million rather than losing him in 2022 for free. Given his price tag, United would most likely make a move should Camavinga show an interest.
However, reports suggest that Camavinga has PSG as his top preference with a move to Spain also an enticing opportunity. United’s rebuild under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will aim to have players who want to play for United and not those looking for another big move after United.
4) Wilfred Ndidi
The Leicester City player won the third most tackles in the 2020/21 Premier League season. The 24-year-old also won the FA Cup in the previous season and finished fifth in the league.
Though he is under contract with Leicester city until 2024 , the club has a history of letting their players go when a high bid arrives (Kante, Maguire, and Mahrez for instance). Also, the money would help Leicester in signing some players themselves. Conclusively, a solid deal in case the transfer goes through. But it would require United to sell some players to make the funds.
