When the summer transfer market opens, Manchester United is anticipated to bring in a central midfielder, and the list of prospective candidates keeps expanding.

The Red Devils have previously been connected to players like Jude Bellingham of Borussia Dortmund, Mason Mount of Chelsea, and Ruben Neves of Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Manu Kone, a midfielder for Borussia Mönchengladbach, is currently the latest name on their radar, according to transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano. There is also interest from Chelsea and Paris Saint-Germain.

The 21-year-old moved from Toulouse to Gladbach in 2021, making 54 appearances across all competitions while scoring four goals and providing two assists.

While Kone still has two and a half years left on his contract at Borussia-Park, he may be open to moving elsewhere because he’s always desired to play for a bigger team.

It’s understandable why Erik ten Hag is interested in the French U21 international because he averages more tackles (2.6) and dribbles (1.9) per game than any United player.

Five of United’s nine alternatives may not play next season, despite the manager of United appearing to have an excess of outside midfielders.

Since Scott McTominay isn’t commanding a standard starting salary, he is disposable and may be sold.

Since Donny van de Beek has been sidelined for the majority of the season, it doesn’t appear that he will play again after the summer. Only on loan, Marcel Sabitzer will eventually return to his original team.

Kobbie Mainoo, a 17-year-old with only three senior appearances under his belt, and Zidane Iqbal, who has just one senior appearance under his belt, round out the group.

Next season, neither player will be a regular, although Kone would be a fixture on the first-team roster.

Time will tell where Romano ends up, although he claims he would cost roughly €50 million (£43.9 million) this summer.