Manchester United have set aside a budget for their second midfielder this summer.
Manchester United look set to go all-in this summer, having already confirmed they will return to the Champions League next season after a third-place finish in the Premier League under Michael Carrick.
Carrick now seems the most likely candidate to be awarded the full-time job for next season and beyond, meaning director of football Jason Wilcox can now begin to focus on the transfer market.
Roundtable understands that Real Madrid could be open to selling Aurelian Tchouaméni, should United be able to convince him to move to Old Trafford. So, if he can be persuaded, he is likely to be the high-profile replacement for Casemiro.
However, this still leaves at least one more midfield slot open for a new transfer. It has been reported that United are looking to make two new additions to the engine room, while a third may be promoted from the academy.
Several names have been mentioned regarding United's second midfield signing - including Ederson, Mateus Fernandes and Morten Hjulmand - but they will have to fit into the budget INEOS have set aside.
United's second midfielder budget
With the high-profile Casemiro replacement likely to take up so much of United's transfer budget, INEOS appear to have set aside £40-£50 million for a second midfielder this summer, as per TeamTALK.
Ederson is believed to fit into that price range, as TeamTALK continue to report that Atalanta are likely to hold out for £39 million, although the deal could go as high as £52 million in add-ons.
TuttoMercato have reported that United are "intent" on signing Ederson and are "sprinting" towards the deal, which suggests negotiations are beginning to ramp up.
United will hope they can finalise the deal before the start of the World Cup - as with most transfers this summer - to ensure Ederson can be a part of pre-season from the very first match.
The Red Devils begin their pre-season campaign in Finland on 18 July, with a match against Wrexham.
Who could be the third midfielder?
Tchouaméni currently seems like he could be the first-choice midfielder, with Ederson or Fernandes as the second, but who will be the third?
Should United wish to promote from within, they could look towards Jack or Tyler Fletcher, who have both played first-team football this season, and were named on the bench against Sunderland.
Jack Moorhouse will also be being assessed. He had an impressive loan at Leyton Orient to start the season, but was recalled during the January transfer window.
Another United loanee to impress is Jacob Devaney. The 18-year-old joined St.Mirren in January and has made 12 appearances (12 starts), including a very impressive performance against Celtic.
It is not impossible that United sign three midfielders this summer, although the third will need to be a cheaper option with Wilcox also eyeing left-wingers and left-backs. Perhaps Michael Carrick will look at Hayden Hackney, whom he coached at Middlesbrough.