Aurelien Tchouameni is the headline name. ESPN report that Manchester United are emerging as the leading destination for the France midfielder if he leaves Real Madrid, with Spanish sources describing the club as "serious contenders" should Madrid decide to redirect funds toward other signings.
Tchouameni is viewed internally at Old Trafford as a ready-made defensive No.6 — a direct successor to Casemiro, whose contract expired this summer and who has since departed for Inter Miami. Manuel Ugarte, signed from Paris Saint-Germain in 2024, has not convinced in the position.
United's interest in the 26-year-old is long-standing, dating back to 2022 when Real Madrid beat them to his signature from Monaco in an £85m deal. A physical altercation between Tchouameni and team-mate Federico Valverde in May, which resulted in both players being fined €500,000 by the club, has renewed speculation over his future at the Bernabeu.
Madrid are understood to value him at around £70m. However, president Florentino Perez has publicly insisted he is not for sale, and Fabrizio Romano has echoed that stance. United have already signed Atalanta's Ederson as a versatile midfield option, but Tchouameni remains the marquee target.
Alongside that pursuit, United are also among the clubs chasing Como midfielder Martin Baturina, with Aston Villa and Bayern Munich also credited with interest according to Sky Italia.
Baturina, 23, scored eight goals and provided four assists in 34 Serie A appearances as Como secured Champions League football last season, his debut campaign outside Croatia. His stock rose sharply on Tuesday when he equalised for Croatia against England in a Group L World Cup fixture in Dallas — his second international goal in 20 caps.
Como signed Baturina from Dinamo Zagreb last summer for around €18m and have already turned down a £43m bid this summer. The Italian club have a Champions League debut awaiting them and are in no position to sell cheap. Leeds United had previously attempted to sign him before his move to Italy.
United return to the Champions League next season after a two-year absence and need to strengthen across the midfield. Whether they can land one or both of their targets will go some way to defining whether Carrick's rebuild moves at the pace the club's ambitions demand.