Manchester United and Leeds enter transfer battle as club express immediate response to £20m offer

Manchester United’s hopes of signing one of their midfield targets are complicated after Leeds reportedly offered a £20m bid

Manchester United are in desperate need of midfield reinforcements this summer, but are likely to face transfer competition at every turn. Southampton star Shay Charles was identified as a potential target last month, but Leeds are looking to snatch a march away from their rivals with a £20m offer for him.

The Red Devils appear to have already finalized a deal for Atalanta midfielder Ederson, but they still have ambitions to sign Michael Carrick further.

Old Trafford bosses have agreed a £35m deal for the Brazilian with the Serie A side, with a further £3.8m available in add-ons.

United face stiff competition for his signature as there are other potential targets as well. The 13-time Premier League champions have been linked with Elliott Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Matheus Fernandes, with each of the trio attracting significant interest from other countries.

Spurs have been named as potential destinations for the Newcastle star and Fernandes, while Manchester City and Tottenham are sure to remain fiercely competitive in the market with United’s crosstown rivals linked to Anderson and Tonali.

Leeds could now be poised to thwart United’s efforts to strengthen their central midfield options. According to The Athletic, Leeds made a bid of £20 million for the 22-year-old, but Southampton have rejected that offer and are now seeking a further sum.

However, negotiations are still ongoing and, while Leeds are looking to strike a deal, United have yet to make any concrete moves to sign the player. Charles missed out on promotion to the Premier League with Southampton due to the Spygate scandal.

The 22-year-old will join Southampton from Manchester City in 2023.

United manager Jason Wilcox helped secure Charles’ contract during his time at Southampton, and at the time Charles was considered to be a player who could ‘promote at the highest level’.

The midfielder has made 76 appearances for Saints since joining, and also gained experience during a loan spell at Sheffield Wednesday.

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Charles is capable of playing not only in midfield but also in central defence, and has already made one Premier League appearance while at Manchester City.

Central midfield has become United’s top priority after strengthening their attacking options last summer. Benjamin Sesco, Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbeumo were all signed last summer, but the club have since shifted their focus to the center of the park, with interest emerging in Carlos Baleva and Conor Gallagher.

Carrick has already said goodbye to Casemiro, who is leaving for Inter Miami, and Manuel Ugarte is also expected to leave after failing to secure a place in United’s starting XI. Koby Mainu and Bruno Fernandes remain the club’s central midfield options until Ederson arrives.

“In practice, almost everything has been resolved,” Ederson told Tuttosport.

He added, “I have to make the most of this moment. I’m here and it’s great and it’s something you always have to live to the fullest.”

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