Fabrizio Romano: Manchester United 'appreciate' huge midfield signing who would be 'very expensive'

Manchester United will consider a midfield signing in the summer transfer window, but their immediate focus very much remains on a deal to sign Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo. United returned to pre-season training at the start of the week, with Matheus Cunha and Diego Leon the only two new arrivals at the club.

United remain in talks with Brentford over a deal to sign Mbeumo and are expected to submit a revised third bid for the forward in the coming weeks. It is understood the 25-year-old is frustrated by the slow progress over a deal, though he still remains eager to move to Old Trafford in the summer transfer window.

Ruben Amorim wants to have as many new signings as possible in place for the pre-season tour of the United States, with a deal for Mbeumo the priority over the next fortnight. After that is completed, attention will turn to player sales, which are essential before United can pursue either a striker or a midfielder.

Fabrizio Romano confirms midfield interest

Manchester United would also like to sign a central midfielder this summer as they search for a long-term successor to Casemiro and a more suitable partner for Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese playmaker is expected to adopt a deeper midfield role next season and United require a midfielder who can cover a lot of ground and offer better defensive protection.

There is still hope Manuel Ugarte will be a better fit in his second season at the club, though Ruben Amorim would like to refresh his midfield options. Atalanta ace Ederson is one such candidate for the role and Fabrizio Romano has revealed there is genuine appreciation for him this summer.

The problem is his price tag. It has been reported that Atalanta would demand €60 million for his signature, and that seems excessive for a United side that has so many other areas to address in the summer window. Writing in his latest GIVEMESPORT newsletter, transfer guru Romano said: "He’s appreciated but he’s also very expensive, so the situation is quiet at the moment. Man United focus is on Mbeumo."

United should be able to fund a move for Bryan Mbeumo from their initial transfer budget, though any move for a midfielder will require player sales first. Marcus Rashford, Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Tyrell Malacia have all been deemed surplus to requirements by the club and were not required to report back for pre-season training this week. Despite that, Rashford returned to Carrington to undergo an individual fitness programme and sources close to the player insist he would be happy to train with the first team squad if Amorim allowed.

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