Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimarães has been linked with a move to Manchester United, and Fabrizio Romano has now confirmed the truth behind the interest.
Manchester United's need for a new central midfielder this summer is more than well-known. With Casemiro leaving the club, and Manuel Ugarte still struggling to live up to his £50 million price tag, a new midfielder has to be the top target.
Director of Football Jason Wilcox appears to be exploring all options to replace Casemiro, but seems to have settled on a five-man Premier League shortlist of Elliot Anderson, Carlos Baleba, Amadou Onana, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton.
Or at least that seemed to be the case until recently, as United have now been linked with another Newcastle United midfielder in Bruno Guimarães.
Most reports linking the Brazilian have come from Brazil, but Fabrizio Romano has now spoken on the interest, as United look to finalise their summer transfer plans, although that will be a challenge without a permanent head coach.
Michael Carrick has impressed many with his style of play as well as the results, with important wins against Manchester City, Arsenal, and most recently, Aston Villa, as United look to return to the Champions League.
Romano confirms truth behind Guimarães interest
Like Sandro Tonali, Guimarães would likely cost United a fee close to £100 million, but it seems the heir to Casemiro will have to be an expensive addition if he is even to come close to replacing the No.18.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano said: "What I can confirm is that, yes, a meeting took place in the recent weeks, it's not yesterday or today or tomorrow, but it already took place a few weeks ago between the agents of Bruno Guirmarães and Manchester United.
"It's true, the information from Brazil. A meeting took place, and Manchester United maintain a very good relationship with the agency. Bruno is represented by one of the biggest agents in the world.
"So it's normal to have meetings with top agents, for top clubs. That's absolutely normal. Then, from that to meeting and arranging an agreement on personal terms, meeting and go to sign a player in the summer. There is a long way to go."
United's interest in Sandro Tonali could also play a factor in their potential pursuit of Guimarães. Romano continued to say: "Tonali is [also] appreciated. Other players are in the list: Elliot Anderson, who is also a topic at Manchester City.
"So there are many, many things to clarify before Man United decide to say: 'Okay, this is the midfield that we want to get.'"
Who should United go for?
Deciding who should replace Casemiro is no easy task, and it has been made even more difficult with the ongoing managerial search, too.
If Jason Wilcox and Omar Berrada had already decided that Michael Carrick was the man to lead United back to the glory days, they could begin an analysis on exactly what Casemiro does in the side now and how best to replace that, although doing that with just one person seems a big challenge.
But since they've not chosen a permanent head coach for the 2026/27 season, it seems the recruitment team will have to look for an all-round defensive midfielder who could impress in any system.
This is a sensible approach, but it does mean they will be expensive. United's five- and now six-man shortlist are all players who will cost upwards of £70 million, meaning United could pay more for Casemiro's heir than they paid for the man himself, despite his five Champions League titles at Real Madrid before his move to Old Trafford.