Manchester United have eight quality options to solve transfer priority for free next summer

Manchester United have eight quality options to solve transfer priority for free next summer

United wanted to sign a midfielder this summer and it will be their number one priority next summer

Ruben Neves (L), Frenkie de Jong (C) and Leon Goretzka (R) could be available for free next summer (Image: Getty Images)

On the face of it, Manchester United have had a positive summer transfer window.

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After a season where they struggled in front of goal last term, United have transformed their frontline with the triple signing of Bryan Mbeumo, who has scored twice in the opening four matches of this season, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko.

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Diego Leon was signed with the future in mind at left-wing-back, while highly rated Belgian goalkeeper Senne Lammens was signed on deadline day to add much needed quality competition to the goalkeeping ranks.

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But one signing United didn't manage to get over the line was a new midfielder, despite heavy links with Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba.

As such, should Ruben Amorim remain in charge of the club next summer, a new midfielder is likely to be at the top of United's priority list.

With that in mind, we have rounded up eight quality options who are currently set to be out of contract at the end of this season and will be available to sign for free next summer.

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Frenkie de Jong

The Barcelona midfielder has been a long term target for United, dating back to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's time in charge.

Since joining the Spanish champions from Ajax in 2019, the Dutch international has established himself as a key player for the club and has won six trophies in Catalonia.

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The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of this season, though, and while he is expected to renew terms at the Camp Nou, an agreement hasn't yet been reached.

Rodrigo Bentancur

The Uruguayan international played a key role in the Spurs side who beat United in last season's Europa League final and he already looks like he has a pivotal role in Thomas Frank's new look Spurs side.

The 28-year-old is out of contract at the end of the season, though, and after joining Spurs from Juventus in January 2022, it remains to be seen whether he will be keen to explore a new challenge next summer.

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Leon Goretzka

Goretzka may be 30 now but he is still a quality operator. The German international has won 15 trophies at Bayern Munich since joining from Schalke in 2018 and has started both league matches under Vincent Kompany this season, reiterating his importance to the side.

He has spent his entire career in Germany, though, although there was speculation towards the end of last season over his future in Bavaria. His situation could be one to watch over the coming months.

Quinten Timber

The twin brother of Arsenal defender Jurrien, Quinten Timber is carving out quite the reputation of his own.

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A Dutch international, the 24-year-old has won the Eredivisie and the KNVB Cup in Rotterdam with Feyenoord when Liverpool boss Arne Slot managed the club, and he has resisted interest from elsewhere this summer to have one more season at De Kuip.

He could leave for free next summer as a result and is set to have a number of potential suitors for his signature.

Ruben Neves

Neves has long been linked with a move to United but when he eventually left Wolves two years ago, he made a shock move to Saudi Pro League side Al-Hilal.

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The Portugal international has won the league title and the Kings Cup in Saudi Arabia but he could be free to explore a return to European football next summer.

The 28-year-old will be at the peak of his powers then and would be an astute pick-up for any top side.

Sergej Milinkovic-Savic

Neves' midfield partner in Saudi Arabia is Milinkovic-Savic, who United also spent years courting when he was at Lazio.

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The Serbia international will be 31 next summer but could still be worth a punt on a short term contract, given his impressive performances out in the Saudi Pro League.

Amadou Haidara

Haidara has impressed at RB Leipzig for a number of years and has often been linked with a move to the Premier League. And if his contract situation in East Germany isn't resolved before next summer, he could be free to finally make that move.

The 27-year-old Mali international played a key role in Leipzig winning back-to-back DFB Pokals in 2022 and 2023 and could be open to a new challenge.

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Franck Kessie

Kessie had a number of top European clubs monitoring his progress at AC Milan before he joined Barcelona in the summer of 2023.

A year later, the Ivorian opted to make the move to the Saudi Pro League to join Al-Ahli and he was part of the side who won the Asian Champions League last season.

Still aged 28, he will arguably be at his peak next summer and will have plenty of interested parties if his contract is allowed to run down.

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