With a week and two days to go until Man United host Fulham in the opening match of the 2024/25 Premier League season, both clubs are still chasing a defensive midfielder to shore up their first-team squads.
The Cottagers sold Joao Palhinha to Bayern Munich earlier this summer, whilst the Red Devils are having terrible problems in trying to offload their top earner (Capology) Casemiro.
United also have Scottish international, Scott McTominay, in their ranks, though CaughtOffside sources are aware that he too is available for sale at the right price.
For now, that appears to be the issue with McTominay.
Sources have indicated that Fulham are said to be sticking to their current offer for the 27-year-old and will not increase it.
Until either Casemiro or McTominay make way, it’s making life difficult for United to bring anyone else in.
A move for Paris Saint-Germain midfielder, Manuel Ugarte, now looks dead in the water because of an inflated transfer fee, and interest in Flumeninse’s Andre is again complicated by the West Londoners.
CaughtOffside sources further understand that the Brazilian’s representatives are negotiating with Fulham for a contract to summer 2029.
His strong defensive abilities and work rate make him an excellent long-term solution for United but Marco Silva’s side seem to have the edge in negotiations, and that would negate their need to return to the table for McTominay too.
If the status quo remains, it would also rule out United’s move for Monaco midfielder, Youssouf Fofana.
It’s understood that Man United have begun initial talks with the 25-year-old French national team ace, who has one year left on his current contract.
Clearly, however, nothing is going to happen until there’s movement from the Red Devils in terms of their current staff, and that looks unlikely at this juncture.
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