Manchester United’s summer transfer window has been dominated by rumors about their central midfield department and who could fill the hole left by Casemiro.
It’s been five weeks since the market opened and it feels like hundreds of players have been linked with a move to Old Trafford, but just two have been signed by manager Michael Carrick’s men.
Andrej Santos and Youri Tielemans both signed for the Red Devils this summer, with the latter’s £35m deal certainly set to be one of the window signings.
However, Carrick and INEOS appear to be planning a last-ditch effort to complete the midfield jigsaw for the 2026/27 season, with one player emerging as their biggest target as a result.
Why United see Kone as the ideal third player in midfield
It is clear that United are prioritizing the acquisition of various midfield reinforcements this summer, with such areas being the biggest concerns for Carrick and his staff.
Santos and Tielemans are undoubtedly great ball-playing options for the Red Devils, with both players completing over 85% of their passes and creating over 1.2 chances per 90.
However, both have been somewhat weak at regaining possession, which has led to Roma star Manu Kone being emerged as the third man in Carrick’s midfield this season.
The Frenchman has appeared without the ball in recent Serie A matches and has since made more tackles and recovered the ball than any of the recent signings.
Manu Cohn – France World Cup Statistics | |
|---|---|
Statistics (per 90 people) | tally |
games played | 4 |
Play time (minutes) | 341 |
Pass accuracy | 93% |
long ball accuracy | 83% |
won a duel | 4.5 |
aerial success | 67% |
The tackle I made | 2.2 |
foul win | 1.6 |
Additionally, he was dribbled through fewer times than Santos and Tielemans in their respective categories, further highlighting his ability to disrupt the opponent’s flow.
As a result, the 25-year-old star has been linked with a £42m move to Old Trafford, with ongoing negotiations between Carrick and the player’s agent.
However, despite the Roma star’s progress in recent weeks, other targets are still being considered as the Red Devils look to complete a midfield transformation.
How United were able to sign Kone’s upgrade
United’s midfield hunt this summer has spread across Europe, with countless names appearing on transfer shortlists in recent months.
Real Madrid’s Aurelien Choameny and Eduardo Camavinga have always been linked with a move to Old Trafford during this period, but it looks like both will remain at the Bernabéu.
The former of the pair recently signed a new contract with the Spanish giants, while the latter wants to stay and compete for his place under manager Jose Mourinho.
As a result, attention has turned to Manchester’s other targets, with a summer move for Carlos Baleva once again a clear possibility.
Sky Sports report that INEOS are preparing a new move for the Brighton & Hove Albion star after trying to sign the Cameroonian 12 months ago.
The 22-year-old already agreed personal terms for his contract with the Red Devils last year and it appears that that has not changed, with a £75m reduction in his signing fee now being discussed.
While United fans may now be hoping to sign Kone given recent rumors, signing Valeva would give Carrick another option at the base of a proven midfield in the Premier League.
The Brighton star will cost an extra £33m compared to the France international, but it will be money well spent as their respective stats from last season showed Baleva’s superiority in key areas.
In 31 games in England’s top flight last season, the youngster made an impressive 11.3 defensive contributions and 1.6 interceptions per 90 games.
Baleva ranks in the top 15% of Premier League midfielders in both of the aforementioned numbers, but he also outperforms Kone in both defensive stats.
The Brighton midfielder recovered almost double the ball per 90 in 2025/26, and his ground duel success rate also improved further.
Such numbers show his great ability to sit in front of the final line and win the ball back for his team. It’s an ability Carrick’s men desperately need following Casemiro’s departure.
Even when in possession, the Cameroon international has a higher pass completion rate and has a dribbling success rate of over 90%, which could make him an excellent line-breaker for the Red Devils.
Spending a further £75m will be a huge investment for Carrick’s men this summer, especially after they have already spent £85m on Santos and Tielemans.
However, Valeva’s skillset will add a new and much-needed dimension to the heart of the side. This could allow the aforementioned duo to play an active role in attacking areas of the pitch.
Cone would also be a solid addition for United this season, but a move for the Brighton star would mean they would have an even more dominant ball-winning player in the first team.
