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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
Sport
Sam Tabuteau

Manchester United face transfer battle with Liverpool and Chelsea over 'world-class' midfielder

Midfield options: Connor Gallagher, Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba - (Standard Sport)

Manchester United face a transfer battle with Liverpool, Chelsea and Manchester City to sign a midfielder.

United have reportedly made a world-class No6 a priority but there is set to be a competitive market next summer, when three of their Premier League rivals are also set to be targeting midfielders.

United made enquiries for Brighton’s Carlos Baleba and Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher last summer and could reignite their interest in the pair next summer.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is another player on their radar, while Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Wolves’ Joao Gomes are also reportedly being monitored.

Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson will be in demand next summer (AFP via Getty Images)

Anderson and Wharton are both in the England squad for their World Cup qualifiers against Serbia and Albania, while Gomes has impressed despite a difficult start to the season for Wolves.

Having spent more than £200million last summer, United are keen not to get drawn into a bidding war with Chelsea, Liverpool or Manchester City, and the Daily Mail report they would prefer to wrap up a deal for a new midfielder before the World Cup in June.

United could enter the market for a midfielder in January, but know deals for Gallagher, Wharton, and Anderson will be difficult to negotiate mid-season.

Adam Wharton has earned an England call-up wit his performances for Crystal Palace (Getty Images)

The club are also in the process of trying to get their wage bill down and are reportedly reluctant to extend Casemiro’s contract, which ends next summer.

The veteran Brazilian has enjoyed a decent start to the season under Amorim, starting United's last five league games.

But, at 33 years old, Amorim is looking for a younger, more mobile presence in midfield.

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