Manchester United are interested in signing another midfielder this summer but one of their main targets could be on the way to Saudi Arabia.
After a terrible campaign, Manchester United are acting urgently in the transfer window to try and improve their situation ahead of next season.
Matheus Cunha has already been announced as the first signing for Ruben Amorim this summer while Bryan Mbeumo wants to follow suit, with United set to open talks with Brentford this week.
The Reds are also targeting a striker and those three signings would transform an underperforming attack but there is still more work to be done.
In particular, United need to sign a midfielder to boost the engine room at Old Trafford. Christian Eriksen has departed the club while there are uncertainties about Manuel Ugarte, Kobbie Mainoo or Casemiro starting regularly in the pivot.
Ederson of Atalanta has been one of the few names linked with a move to the club who plays in the middle but he could soon be set for a move to Saudi Arabia.
Al-Hilal interested in signing United target Ederson
It was revealed this week that Bruno Fernandes had rejected a mammoth offer from Al-Hilal to become their main player ahead of the Club World Cup.
The Saudi club are now pivoting and various reports have explained that Ederson is among the players they want to sign as a replacement for Fernandes. Talks have already begun and the Reds could miss out on their favoured option for the midfield.
A previous report from GiveMeSport back in March detailed Ederson as one of United’s three main options to bolster the midfield.
However, the others were named as Adam Wharton and Martin Zubimendi – two more players who are unlikely to move to United this summer.
United eyeing Hackney as backup midfielder
The aforementioned report did explain that there is a rouge Championship option the Reds have been eyeing and it was stated that they could reignite their interest in him should their favoured targets be unavailable.
Hayden Hackney has caught the attention of several top clubs with his performances at Middlesborough since breaking through under Michael Carrick and GiveMeSport stated that the Reds could make a move for him if they fail to line their ‘premium’ midfield targets.
The ‘incredible’ 22-year-old is viewed as a ‘viable alternative’ to those bigger names although it is unlikely that United would bring him in to be a starter.
On the other hand, we have previously seen other talent from the Championship excel when coming into Premier League teams. One of United’s so-called premium targets – Wharton – was in that exact position less than two years ago.
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The Reds have not opted to use England’s second-tier for signings since 2019 when they brought Daniel James from Swansea City. In the meantime, it feels like many other clubs have uncovered hidden gems from the division.
While there is definitely a desire for a top class midfield player who is ready-made at the top level, pursuing Hackney would certainly be an interesting piece of business for the club.
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