​Manchester United have reportedly drawn up a three-man shortlist for their midfield rebuild, featuring Manu Koné of AS Roma, Alex Scott of Bournemouth, and Lille’s Ayyoub Bouaddi. The club also intends to add two more players after withdrawing from a deal to sign Ederson due to an unsuccessful medical, according to a report citing journalist Eduardo Burgos. United’s transfer plans shifted dramatically on Thursday when it became clear that the agreed move for the Atalanta midfielder to Old Trafford would not go ahead, the breakdown stemming from complications uncovered during the medical process. This left United without the centerpiece they had hoped would anchor their midfield rebuild.
The Reds have already taken steps to soften the blow. Andrey Santos has completed a transfer from Chelsea for £50 million, signing a contract that runs until June 2031 with a further one-year option. An official announcement is expected soon. While Santos strengthens the squad, he does not fully address United’s midfield needs. Michael Carrick is contending with a depleted engine room after Casemiro’s departure and Manuel Ugarte’s injury, which is projected to keep the Uruguayan sidelined for an extended period. United had planned to add three midfielders this summer, and that objective remains intact.
Burgos’s update indicates that United’s current shortlist comprises Koné, Scott, and Bouaddi, with two of the three anticipated to join. Roma are reportedly seeking a higher fee for Koné following influential World Cup performances, while Bournemouth are standing firm on Scott’s price tag, with an asking price around £80 million should United press their interest. Scott is highly regarded by United, but Bournemouth’s stance complicates any potential move. Bouaddi has also been a target for United since the season’s start, with his performances in the World Cup keeping him on their radar. However, Lille’s valuation poses a challenge; the French club is said to be asking for more than £80 million, and there is debate over whether Bouaddi is ready to make such a leap in his development next season.
With Scott and Bouaddi presenting the most significant hurdles, there is speculation that United could revisit their interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, a player they explored signing last summer. Baleba’s season at the Amex was challenging, but his skill set—especially his willingness to contribute defensively and cover ground out of possession—appeals to Carrick’s requirements and could offer an alternative path if talks with Koné stall.
Looking at the clearest route through this shortlist, Koné appears to be the standout option. INEOS identified midfield and centre-back as primary recruitment priorities this summer, and a dynamic ball-carrier of Koné’s profile would provide United with a distinctive asset to complement Santos and Mainoo—assuming Roma agrees to a revised valuation that reflects the current market dynamics. As United push forward, the club’s strategic aim remains to secure a trio of midfield additions, with Koné serving as a potential cornerstone alongside the recently secured Santos, and a third addition that could come from either Scott or Bouaddi, or, if needed, Baleba as a contingency plan.