West Ham United have recently started scouting a couple of young talents, both of whom have been previously linked with moves to Manchester United.
Now that the 2024/25 Premier League season has drawn to a close, Manchester United are in desperate need of a summer revamp, which may see many fresh faces enter the doors.
Like many clubs in the English top-flight, United will have to be careful with their spending so that they don’t breach any of the Financial Fair Play rules, which may lead them to plug their gaps with more savvy purchases.
This being said, Ruben Amorim’s side are in the market for a central midfielder this summer, and have reportedly been turning their attention to the Championship for a potential solution.
Two players from the second tier of English football that United have previously been linked with are Middlesbrough’s Hayden Hackney and Sunderland’s Chris Rigg, both of whom are now on West Ham’s radar.
The Hammers scout Rigg and Hackney
Another side who desperately need revitalising this summer are Graham Potter’s Hammers, who suffered a season equally as disappointing as United’s.
The East London side finished one point above United in 14th, but face quite the task this summer if they want to keep their star players in Mohammed Kudus and Jarrod Bowen, whilst also improving their side.
According to a report from The Guardian, West Ham have scouted Chris Rigg, Hayden Hackney, and Sheffield United’s Sydie Peck as they look to add youth and legs to their midfield.
As reported earlier in the summer window, Hackney is seen as an option for the Red Devils this summer, should their favourite targets be unavailable.
Similarly, reports from earlier this year stated that Amorim’s club view 17-year-old Rigg as a “generational” talent, with the player helping Sunderland achieve promotion back to the Premier League.
United’s midfield alternatives
Now that it looks like Bruno Fernandes is set to stay, this summer presents United’s higher-ups with the task of finding the Portuguese maestro the perfect partner in Amorim’s midfield pivot.
This may prove difficult due to PSR restrictions and having no European football, which may be reasons as to why the Championship could provide a suitable solution.
Atalanta’s Ederson has also been listed as a key target for United, but they’re reportedly set to face competition from Newcastle and Saudi Arabia if they are to try and acquire the Brazilian’s services.
Although Amorim has been clear that he wants to sign a new midfielder this summer, their concrete targets remain unclear as the club prioritise attacking signings in the early weeks of the summer window.
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