PSG say no on Zaire-Emery
Warren Zaire-Emery is off the table. PSG have made it clear the 20-year-old is not for sale, and the player himself has no interest in leaving (5). That door is shut, and United are already moving on.
Kone deal agreed, €60m move close
Manu Kone looks like the answer. United have agreed personal terms with the Roma midfielder, and an agreement in principle is in place for a €60m transfer (2) (7). He would be the third midfield signing of the summer after Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans (7).
Tchouameni back in play
Real Madrid are open to selling Aurelien Tchouameni (8). That flips the story from earlier in the week, when United's approach for the Frenchman was reportedly knocked back (4). No fee mentioned yet, but Madrid's stance has shifted.
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Danilo emerges as budget option
United are also looking at Danilo. The Nottingham Forest midfielder, once an £18m Premier League arrival, is a cheaper alternative to Kone and Tchouameni (1). Newcastle are in the mix too.
Scott and Baleba still on the shortlist
The midfield shortlist is down to three names after approaches for Tchouameni and Alex Scott were initially rebuffed (4). Scott, Carlos Baleba, and Mamadou Sangare are the three still in the frame for that remaining midfield slot. Bournemouth's Tyler Adams has also been linked at £35m.
Mainoo decision could reshape plans
A decision on Kobbie Mainoo is coming, and it could change everything. United are weighing up something significant around the academy graduate, and it may affect whether the club pursues a third midfield signing at all (3). Santos and Tielemans are already through the door. Mainoo's situation determines what happens next.
Thompson already has a Spurs return clause
Tynan Thompson only just arrived, but Tottenham are well placed to bring him back. Spurs hold a 20 per cent sell-on clause and matching rights on the youngster (9). Keith Wyness, former Everton CEO, said: "If it is genuinely true the family are moving up north, then I think everything works out perfectly well" (9).
Fan reactions
The midfield rebuild is all anyone wants to talk about. Kone divides opinion, some fans see a bargain, others want Baleba's athleticism. Danilo is getting a surprisingly warm reception for a player once written off as a Premier League flop. Lisandro Martinez is also in the spotlight after new World Cup final footage emerged, and the mood on that one is pure frustration. More on the Martinez story
