Manchester United eye move for Bournemouth star as cheaper midfield option | Football

Manchester United will be bringing in a midfielder this summer and have a Bournemouth star on their list of targets to fill that position.

Central midfield was an area the club was looking to strengthen last summer, showing interest in Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, but nothing came of it.

Their need to add a midfielder to the squad will be even more pressing in the next transfer window as Casemiro is set to leave the club on a free transfer.

The Brazilian has been a regular in the side this season, performing impressively during Michael Carrick’s reign so far and replacing him will be vital.

Baleba remains a target for the Red Devils, while the likes of Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson and Crystal Palace star Adam Wharton have been touted as possible signings.

All three have been given price tags of £80m-£100m, although Nottingham Forest’s Premier League future will surely impact the fee they can demand for Anderson.

The Daily Mail report that Manchester United have a cheaper option on their radar, with Bournemouth’s Tyler Adams being admired at Old Trafford.

The 27-year-old has been with the Cherries since signing from Leeds United in 2023, although he has been hampered by injuries since then, making just 52 appearances for Bournemouth so far.

The American does have Champions League experience from his time at RB Leipzig and has won 52 caps for his country.

Adams will be playing for USA at their home World Cup this summer and any deal is likely to have to wait until after that tournament.

The midfielder is under contract with Bournemouth until 2028 and the Mail’s report suggests he would be available for around £40m this summer.

He would not get Manchester United fans as excited as the likes of Anderson or Wharton, but would cost around half as much as the England internationals.

The Red Devils are not the only ones interested in the American, though, with ESPN reporting that Liverpool and Chelsea are also monitoring the situation.

Adams suffered a serious knee injury playing against Manchester United in December, returning to the Bournemouth side against West Ham on February 21.

‘I’m in a good spot,’ he told the Men in Blazers podcast after returning to action. ‘There was a longer timetable on the injury when it first happened, but I’ve come back a little bit earlier.

‘It wasn’t ideal. You dream of nights playing at Old Trafford against Man United. Those are the biggest games you can play in the Premier League, and something like that happens.

‘I knew in the moment that my MCL twisted and I felt a bit of a pop. I don’t think I’ve ever come off a field in the first half.’

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