Man Utd cool on Wharton and Baleba as Alex Scott emerges as top midfield target

Manchester United have moved away from reported targets Adam Wharton and Carlos Baleba, with Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott now identified as the club’s preferred option to strengthen their engine room ahead of next season’s Champions League campaign.

According to the Manchester Evening News, Brighton have held firm on a £100 million asking price for Baleba despite an underwhelming season from the Ivorian, and there has been little meaningful movement from United’s side in this window. The interest that existed last summer has not translated into serious pursuit.

The trail on Wharton has gone even colder. United’s recruitment team view the Crystal Palace midfielder as too similar in profile to Kobbie Mainoo to function effectively alongside him in a two-man midfield — a concern that has effectively ended their interest in the England international.

Scott, 21, has emerged as the frontrunner to fill the void, with Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni also admired over several months. Borussia Dortmund’s Felix Nmecha is another name in the frame, with director of football Jason Wilcox — who worked with the German during his time at Manchester City’s academy — understood to be a supporter of a potential deal.

United’s midfield search has been complicated by missing out on other targets earlier in the window. Elliot Anderson joined Manchester City and Mateus Fernandes moved to Tottenham, leaving the club still without a senior addition in that area of the pitch.

On other incomings, a £35 million deal for Atalanta goalkeeper Ederson is expected to be formalised once Brazil’s World Cup 2026 campaign concludes. The club are also set to sign Wales under-21 goalkeeper Kit Margetson from Swansea City for a compensation fee, with the 19-year-old — son of former England goalkeeping coach Martyn Margetson — likely to be loaned to an EFL club immediately to gain senior experience.

Manager Michael Carrick, who guided United to a top-four finish in his second spell as interim boss and has since been appointed on a permanent basis, is due to begin his first pre-season in charge next week.