Manchester United, who want one win over their rivals, have reportedly joined Arsenal in the race to sign Quinten Timber, whose contract expires next summer.
Ruben Amorim’s midfield has been a topic of discussion since his arrival. The Portuguese manager has brought Casemiro back from a player who was destined to leave the club to a valued member of the team, but it has also come at a cost to Coby Mainu. The academy graduate has struggled to break into the side as he tries to find balance.
As it stands, Casemiro and captain Bruno Fernandes are likely to fill the two deep midfield roles in Amorim’s system if they all become available for United. But there’s one problem.
Casemiro is 33 years old, and no matter how much he regains his form, he won’t be able to keep going forever. And with Manuel Ugarte yet to settle down at Old Trafford, Man United could look to find a long-term solution.
Rumors have centered around Carlos Baleva, as the Red Devils looked set to do just that before he left for Brighton & Hove Albion in the summer, and it is clearly an issue that INEOS are looking to address.
The Brighton man appears to remain a target, but he is not the only player on United’s shortlist. Another name on the shortlist, Atletico Madrid’s Conor Gallagher, is reportedly open to a move to Old Trafford, while INEOS could strike an alternative bargain deal to end the matter once and for all.
Manchester United enter race to sign Quinten Timber
According to Caught Offside, Man United are in the race to sign Timber and could outpace Arsenal for his signature.
Quinten’s twin brother, Julian, is already in the Gunners’ squad, but next year’s Premier League could see the two brothers competing rather than uniting.
As was the case with Baleva in the summer, it is highly unlikely that Old Trafford’s players will see a rise in price on a move for the 25-year-old. The Dutch midfielder is set to become a free agent in June when his current contract with Feyenoord expires, giving Arsenal and Man United the chance to secure a bargain deal.
Timber, who was described as “underrated” by U23 scout Antonio Mango last year, is also attracting interest from Borussia Dortmund, who are leading the race to sign him. Both Man United and Arsenal must first fend off competition from Bundesliga powerhouses before competing for themselves next summer.