JUDE BELLINGHAM is Manchester United’s top defensive midfield target, according to reports.
The Red Devils have been linked with a number of stars as they look to bolster their engine room this summer.
Jude Bellingham is top of United’s wishlist Credit: Getty United boss Erik ten Hag wants to strengthen in the middle of the pitch, especially with Paul Pogba and Nemanja Matic having departed.
The Red Devils are chasing Frenkie de Jong, with Ten Hag having worked with his fellow Dutchman with great success at Ajax.
But they are also in the market for a more defensive option.
United have been linked with the likes of N’Golo Kante, Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips to play that role.
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De Jong gives Man Utd ‘private assurances’, Bellingham ‘tops wish list’ But according to The Athletic, a future move for Bellingham is more likely.
Kante, 31, could be available for a cut price from Chelsea this summer due to his contract having just one more year to run.
But United chiefs are concerned about the Frenchman’s injury record, putting them off a move.
West Ham, meanwhile, are demanding more than £100million for Rice, pricing him out of a move.
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The England ace didn’t appear in the Hammers’ new kit launch, prompting unease from fans.
But with West Ham possessing the option to extend his contract by an extra year to 2025, the East Londoners still hold all the cards.
Over at Leeds, Phillips is looking likely to depart Elland Road this summer.
He would have to jeopardise his entire relationship with the club and its fans to move to United, however, as Alan Smith and Rio Ferdinand did in the 2000s.
For this reason, a transfer to Manchester City is more likely for the 26-year-old.
As for Bellingham, United tried to sign him from Birmingham in 2020 only for him to choose Borussia Dortmund instead.
The 18-year-old has developed brilliantly in Germany, although a United transfer swoop is more likely next summer than this.
Ten Hag is set to take a look at a United forgotten man as he looks to solve his side’s midfield woes.
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I found a terrifying Facebook message that STEALS your money – check your DMs Andreas Pereira has spent the last two seasons on loan at Lazio and Flamengo, but has reportedly been told that he will be given an opportunity to impress United’s new boss during pre-season.
The Brazilian has made 75 appearances for the Red Devils, with the most recent coming in 2020.
United possess concerns over N’Golo Kante’s injury record Credit: Alamy
Phillips and Rice are both difficult deals to do for United Credit: Reuters Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
