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From Gavi to Tchouameni: The midfielders linked with Man Utd before Baleba
Updated: 19 Aug 2026 16:53 BST |
6 min read
Analysis
Manchester United are on the verge of completing their midfield rebuild as they close in on a deal to sign Carlos Baleba from Brighton and Hove Albion.
With Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans already in the door, the Red Devils are now one step away from fully addressing their priority position, having targeted three additions this summer.
Before the news broke about Baleba, speculation was rife as to the identity of who that third midfielder might be - from the outrageous to the (fairly) conceivable.
Here, FootballTransfers takes a look at every midfielder who was linked with a move to United before Old Trafford officials honed in on Baleba.
Gavi (Barcelona)
Eyebrows were raised when the Daily Mirror claimed United were sweet on Barcelona star Gavi - only to discover the feeling was not mutual, apparently.
The prospect of Gavi rubbing shoulders with Santos, Tielemans and Kobbie Mainoo was a mouth-watering one, but he reportedly only had eyes for the Blaugrana.
Marc Casado (Barcelona)
Despite loose speculation elsewhere, SPORT understood United were never interested in signing Gavi’s Barcelona team-mate Marc Casado.
The 22-year-old is still believed to be available this summer, having fallen down the pecking order at Spotify Camp Nou.
Myles Lewis-Skelly (Arsenal)
BBC Sport claimed United were offered the chance to sign Myles Lewis-Skelly in January - something Arsenal sources have denied.
The 19-year-old can also operate at left-back, however - another position United are still looking to strengthen before Deadline Day.
Aurelien Tchouameni (Real Madrid)
Both BBC Sport and The Athletic understood United’s dream midfield signing was Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid.
The only problem was that the France international, regarded as one of the finest No. 6’s in the world, was never keen on leaving the Bernabeu.
Eduardo Camavinga (Real Madrid)
Like Tchouameni, Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga was also linked with United by The Guardian.
And like Tchouameni once again, the Frenchman made it clear he preferred to stay and fight for a place in Jose Mourinho's starting eleven.
Alex Scott (Bournemouth)
Sky Sports claimed United made an enquiry for Alex Scott earlier in the window, only to be told by Bournemouth that he is not for sale.
The 22-year-old has developed a reputation as one of the finest midfielders in the Premier League with the Cherries.
Adam Wharton (Crystal Palace)
United also considered the merits of Crystal Palace and England midfielder Adam Wharton, according to BBC Sport.
However, club officials were reported to have passed on the idea of signing the 22-year-old as they believed his profile was too similar to Mainoo. Their words, not mine…
Manu Kone (Roma)
After weeks of whispering and muttering, The Athletic reported that United did have some interest in Roma midfielder Manu Kone.
However, it appears that's all it ever was: tentative interest in a No. 6 who caught the eye for France at this summer's World Cup.
Sander Berge (Fulham)
One of the more surprising names on the list, United earmarked Norway midfielder Sander Berge as a low-budget alternative according to The Athletic and The Guardian.
Fulham were believed to be looking to make a profit on the €29m (£25m) they shelled out to sign the 28-year-old from Burnley in August 2024.
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