Leon Goretzka could be one of the new midfielders to join Manchester United this summer, with Jason Wilcox looking at signing more than one player for the engine room.
It seems Manchester United's transfer plans are yet to be fully finalised, with a new head coach not yet in place for the 2026/27 season, although Michael Carrick has put himself in a good position to be awarded that job.
Despite the managerial confusion, Director of Football Jason Wilcox will already have some idea of the transfers he will be looking to do, as Casemiro has confirmed he will be leaving the club upon the expiry of his contract at the end of the season. The Brazilian could have stayed at Old Trafford if he played every game until the end of the season - which he is still on track to do - but that clause has been waived.
Manuel Ugarte could also leave the club at the end of the season after a poor two years since his £50 million move from Paris Saint-Germain, making the midfield a huge priority.
United have been known admirers of Nottingham Forest's Elliot Anderson for some time, while Newcastle United's Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães have also been mentioned. Eduardo Camavinga also appears to be an outside shout, but all signs point towards a Premier League-proven signing to partner Kobbie Mainoo.
Mainoo has impressed many since Michael Carrick's arrival, including his midfield partner Casemiro: "Kobbie is the present and the future. I think that he is one of the best no.8s and can be for that for the next 12 years."
United's Leon Goretzka "advantage"
It is known that United are looking to overhaul their midfield options this summer, with Casemiro leaving and a return to the Champions League looking likely. Leon Goretzka has been linked with the club for a few years, and new links have now emerged.
Give Me Sport has reported that United have "an advantage" in the race to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Leon Goretzka, as one of the two new additions to join the club this summer.
Gazzetta dello Sport says United have already "made moves" to hijack the German international's move to Premier League leaders Arsenal. Goretzka will be a free agent in the summer when his Bayern contract expires.
Goretzka's experience in midfield could be crucial in United's return to the Champions League. Mainoo is currently the only option as the box-to-box midfielder, with Casemiro and Ugarte deeper and Bruno Fernandes now back in attacking midfield.
The Bayern Munich midfielder could play on either side of midfield, either partnering or playing instead of Kobbie Mainoo.
United should focus on first midfielder
While Goretzka would add a brilliant dynamic to the United squad as a leader with Champions League experience, in a time when the Red Devils will be losing Casemiro, who is known for those attributes, Jason Wilcox should focus on signing a different midfielder first.
Elliot Anderson appears to be the favoured candidate within Manchester United, but Roundtable have exclusively confirmed that Manchester City are ahead of United in the race for the England international.
Losing Goretzka to Arsenal would be a blow, but losing Anderson to Manchester City would be even more of a disaster, especially when he is United's top target.
Carlos Baleba, Amadou Onana, Sandro Tonali and Adam Wharton would all be good options, too, but if they aren't United's top target, then they shouldn't already be willing to go for a different option.