One of Manchester United’s top transfer targets is considering signing a new contract with his current club, according to reports.
After overhauling their attack last summer, Ruben Amorim’s next priority for United is to revamp their midfield and some urgent work in that position may be required in the January transfer window.
Casemiro has been performing well but turns 34 very soon, with back-up defensive midfielder Manuel Ugarte not deemed good enough to be his long-term replacement.
Moreover, captain Bruno Fernandes is out injured for the next month and while the club do not wish to lose Kobbie Mainoo, the youngster’s future remains up in the air.
It is said that United hope to sign two central midfielders in the future and have drawn up an eight-player shortlist – though it is acknowledged that many of them won’t be attainable until next summer.
Get personalised updates on Manchester United every day
Wake up to find news on your club in your inbox every morning with Metro’s Football Newsletter.
Sign up to our newsletter and then select your team in the link so we can send you football news tailored to you.
Atletico Madrid star Conor Gallagher, keen for more game time ahead of the World Cup, and Al-Hilal’s Ruben Neves, available for £20million, would be their January options.
Among the long-term targets is Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton, a player Amorim greatly admires and is confident he can bring to Old Trafford – so long as United qualify for Europe.
The 21-year-old has enjoyed a stellar time at Selhurst Park, winning the FA Cup last season and is likely to be in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the World Cup.
With a contract that runs until 2029, Wharton is valued at upwards of £70m, which may prove tricky for United depending on what other signings they wish to make, but that could change very soon.
It was reported in October that Palace were hoping to tie their star midfielder down to a new deal and The Sun now say Wharton is considering the offer.
While a contract extension would obviously see his value increase further, it could actually benefit United if Wharton did put pen to paper.
Two years ago, the Eagles convinced Michael Olise and Eberechi Eze to snub a move and sign new contracts which included realistic release clauses.
The attacking midfielders gave their all to the club before Olise joined Bayern Munich for £50m and Arsenal signed Eze for an initial £60m, a scenario that benefitted all parties.
If the same occurred with Wharton, it would make a move to Manchester easier, though it remains to be seen if the trick will be repeated.
Having paid Blackburn Rovers an initial £18m for the player, with a sizeable sell-on clause included in the deal, Palace will want to set the release clause as high as they possibly can.
Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Nottingham Forest man Elliot Anderson, Bournemouth duo Tyler Adams and Alex Scott, and Stuttgart star Angelo Stiller are the other names United are very interested in.
For more stories like this, check our sport page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
