Man Utd eye Alex Scott alternative as six-man midfield shortlist emerges after Aurelien Tchouameni update

Manchester United are reportedly interested in six midfielders while an update on Aurelien Tchouameni’s future has emerged.

United head coach Michael Carrick has already welcomed midfielders Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans to the club this summer following the departure of Casemiro, who has joined Inter Miami.

And it appears United are not stopping in their pursuit of building a new-look midfield ahead of what promises to be an important 2026/27 campaign, which will see the 20-time English champions compete on four fronts: the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.

United are looking to add both quality and depth to their squad while continuing to be linked with several midfield targets.

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The Red Devils were interested in Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes earlier this summer but missed out on all three targets, who signed for Manchester City and Spurs respectively.

However, United are not disheartened, with director of football Jason Wilcox open to being patient and evaluating other targets before the September 1 deadline.

Man Utd keen on Alex Scott alternative

Real Madrid’s Tchouameni is seen as an ideal target, with it widely reported that Los Blancos are willing to sell the Frenchman at the right price.

United could also benefit if Rodri signs for Real, a move which would seemingly push Tchouameni further towards the exit door at the Santiago Bernabéu.

Brighton’s Carlos Baleba remains a long-term target for United, with Bournemouth’s Scott and Roma’s Manu Koné also on their radar.

Fulham and Norway midfielder Sander Berge has also been linked with a potential move to Old Trafford.

Speaking on The United Stand on Thursday (July 23), journalist Ben Jacobs ranked United’s chances of signing each of the aforementioned players, while also suggesting a second Bournemouth star could be on their list alongside Scott, who has also been a target for Chelsea, with the Blues seeing a £64 million bid rejected by the Cherries earlier this week.

“Yeah, I think Alex Scott is a high priority, but it’s just a high price, so you have to weigh those two things against each other, and we’ll wait and see whether Manchester United formally enter that race,” he said.

“Bournemouth had actually had a call from Manchester United [for Scott] before that Chelsea bid.

“Kone is definitely high in Manchester United’s thinking.

“He’s been looked at by Arsenal, Chelsea as well, even though they prioritised that bid for Alex Scott, but no real headway because the player was obviously at the World Cup, so we’re going to have to wait and see how that develops. But again, he’s much higher on the list.”

Jacobs then revealed that United retain interest in Bournemouth and USMNT midfielder Tyler Adams, having previously been linked with the Cherries man back in 2025.

“Tyler Adams is one of several names on the list… He's still there,” Jacobs added.

Adams, 27, has represented both Leeds United and Bournemouth in the Premier League, having also played for RB Leipzig and New York Red Bulls.

The American is contracted to Bournemouth until 2028 and would reportedly cost around £35 million.

Jacobs continued: “At the moment, Carlos Baleba is not to be discounted.

“And of all of the names, it probably would be fair to say that Aurelien Tchouameni would be right near the top of the list.”

United start their Premier League campaign with a trip to Hull City on August 22.