Manchester United have identified Real Madrid’s Eduardo Camavinga and Fulham’s Sander Berge as potential signings, continuing a radical midfield rebuild under Michael Carrick that has already cost £83m.
The club have already secured two midfielders this window: Andrey Santos in a £48m deal from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans for £35m from Aston Villa. But with Casemiro having departed and Manuel Ugarte ruled out for what may be a prolonged period due to a knee ligament injury, United are considering a third addition.
“Manchester United consider Camavinga and Berge after Casemiro exit and Ugarte injury.”
Camavinga, 23, has a €1bn release clause at Real Madrid but the Spanish club would listen to offers of between €50m and €60m (£42m-£51m), it is thought. The Frenchman is believed to favour staying at Real, though the club may be open to selling to make space for Rodri. Berge, 28, would cost around £40m and has considerable Premier League experience, having played for Sheffield United, Burnley and Fulham. The Norwegian featured in Norway’s 2-1 World Cup quarter-final loss to England.
Santos’s arrival from Chelsea raised eyebrows. He was often a backup for Chelsea last season as they finished seven places and 19 points behind United, and is not the finished article. Since Alex Ferguson retired 13 years ago, United had only signed four players from “big six” rivals: Juan Mata, Nemanja Matic, Mason Mount (all Chelsea) and Alexis Sánchez. Tielemans, who captains Belgium and has made 244 Premier League appearances, is considered particularly good business.
United’s list for a possible new midfielder also includes Bournemouth’s Alex Scott and Roma’s Manu Koné.