Manchester United have held talks to sign Barcelona star Marc Casado as they look to continue their midfield rebuild, but there has been a twist, according to TEAMtalk.
Man United have made strengthening their midfield the biggest priority with a week to go until the summer transfer window officially opens, with a deal for Atalanta's Ederson already agreed.
The Brazilian is expected to complete his move to Old Trafford at the start of July after undergoing a medical, but the Red Devils won't be done there when it comes to adding new faces in midfield following the expected departures of Casemiro and Manuel Ugarte.
United could still add two more midfielders to their squad after Ederson, with Fabrizio Romano confirming that Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson and Real Madrid's Aurelien Tchouameni are both 'dream' signings for the club this summer.
The club is also looking at lower-cost options too, with two Championship players on their radar that Michael Carrick and Jason Wilcox know well in Hayden Hackney of Middlesbrough and Shea Charles of Southampton.
While there has been a focus on identifying players with Premier League experience, they have held talks over bringing a Barcelona player to Old Trafford.
Man Utd Hold Talks Over Marc Casado Deal
According to TEAMtalk, Premier League clubs are queuing up to sign Barcelona midfielder Marc Casado, with the Spaniard expected to leave the La Liga champions this summer as Hansi Flick looks to make room in his squad.
Manchester United have held talks alongside top flight rivals Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Brighton, Nottingham Forest, Everton and Crystal Palace, although none of those clubs have launched a formal offer for the 22-year-old 'animal'.
Now, Monaco are pushing to finalise a deal for the Spain international, after taking pole position in the race to prise him away from the Camp Nou.
Monaco are increasingly confident of signing the Spaniard in a deal worth in excess of £20m, with the likes of United looking elsewhere should the Ligue 1 club get a deal over the line.
United In Talks Over Deal for Two Midfielders
While Man United dream of doing deals for Anderson and Tchouameni, they are reported to be in talks over deals for two Premier League-based players as they look to get their business done early.
The difference between Anderson and Tchouameni and this duo is that neither will be at the World Cup, which could help negotiations.
One is West Ham United's Mateus Fernandes, who has become a key target in recent weeks, and even more so now the Irons have been relegated to the Championship.
United are one of the clubs who sense an opportunity with the talented Portuguese star, who is unlikely to want to play in England's second tier next term and is said to be keen on a switch to Old Trafford.
The other player is Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali, with one report from Italy claiming that Carrick had instructed Red Devils chiefs to land the Italy international this summer.
Neither player will come cheap however, with West Ham and Newcastle ready to dig their heels in on asking prices, although the former's relegation surely weakens their negotiating position slightly.
