After failing to sign long-term target Ederson, Manchester United are in danger of missing out on another midfielder on their shortlist, as Newcastle United have enquired about the availability of Botafogo’s Danilo, according to O Globo.

The Red Devils may have completed the signing of Andrey Santos earlier this week, but they’ve endured a rough start to this summer window. A move for Ederson, which has been in the works for some time, has collapsed, leaving their transfer strategy in limbo.

Michael Carrick and the Old Trafford hierarchy are expected to turn to alternatives to Ederson, with Manu Kone mooted as a candidate.

Danilo, described as an “elite number eight” by Breaking The Lines, has also been identified as a target, although this potential move is now in jeopardy as Newcastle have emerged as a serious contender for the Brazilian’s signature.

Man Utd could now miss out on Danilo as well as Ederson

O Globo report that Newcastle have enquired about Danilo, and while the Magpies are yet to make a formal offer for the former Nottingham Forest man, they view him as one of their top targets to replace Bruno Guimaraes, if the 28-year-old completes a move to Arsenal.

Reports surfaced earlier this week that United have held talks with Botafogo about Danilo’s situation. Danilo is reportedly keen on a return to Europe after leaving Forest last summer, and Botafogo are demanding around €40million (£34million) for his services.

While Newcastle aren’t deemed frontrunners at this time, their need for midfield reinforcements is urgent, and thus, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see them move quickly ahead of United to try and sign the 25-year-old.

Eddie Howe is also likely to be able to offer Danilo regular minutes from the outset, while his role in the north-west would likely be more limited.

This could ultimately persuade the player to opt for a switch to Tyneside rather than Manchester, highlighting how United could be in trouble in this particular saga.

Man Utd should pivot to Adam Wharton

Danilo represents a sensible buy if United are merely looking for alternatives to Ederson with greater upside.

However, they should instead be focusing on signing a different profile of midfielder. They’ve already added energy in Santos; they now need a deep-lying playmaker who can dictate their build-up play.

Adam Wharton has been linked with United, and the Crystal Palace man is the exact sort of profile they should be looking at.

The England international is an exceptional passer, and this is what the Red Devils need at the base of their midfield. Instead of adding another workmanlike player who can get on the end of chances in the box, a more metronomic midfield is what Carrick’s side are crying out for.

Liverpool and Manchester United are now said to be going head-to-head to sign a midfielder after surprise developments at Old Trafford. Michael Carrick thought he had boxed off one of his midfield signings after reaching an early agreement with Atalanta to sign Brazil star Ederson, but that deal is no more.

United requested further medical checks on the midfielder following his World Cup participation, and it is now being reported that they have communicated to Atalanta that they will not progress with the deal. Atalanta say Ederson is fully fit, but the Red Devils have made their decision, and they will search elsewhere, likely to want two or three midfield signings this summer.

Meanwhile, Liverpool are also searching high and low for a new midfield, keen to add competition to the middle of the park this summer.

Liverpool and Man Utd tussle for Joao Gomes

According to Portuguese website Globo, both Liverpool and Man Utd have enquired about the possibility of signing Wolves midfielder Joao Gomes. Oddly Gomes is said to have had a deal fully agreed with Atletico Madrid this summer, but it’s claimed the Spanish club blocked the deal because agent Jorge Mendes, who also represents Bernardo Silva, agreed to send the former Manchester City star to Atletico, only to agree a last-minute deal with Real Madrid.

Atletico reacted by punishing Mendes by canceling the deal involving his other client, Gomes. That means the 25-year-old midfielder is still on the table, and Liverpool and Man Utd are both said to have ‘contacted’ Wolves to explore a possible deal. Atletico agreed to pay Wolves £38.3million (45million euros), so it’s likely the Midlands club will demand the same total as they prepare for a Championship campaign.

Gomes is ‘going to the top’

Gomes won Wolves’ Player of the Season award last season, and while the Midlands club endured a dire season, the Portuguese midfielder clearly stood out.

In fact, he came in for special praise from former Manchester City defender Micah Richards on the Rest is Football podcast last season. “We have to give a quick shout-out to Gomes of Wolves,” said Richards. “Oh my word, what a player he is by the way. Gomes, he is a player by the way. Obviously, we don’t get to see Wolves too much on TV. We see them on Match of the Day. Seeing him up close and personal, his touches, his anticipation when he’s winning the ball back and his weight of ball forward. Sorry Wolves fans, he’s going to the top that lad.”

Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in signing Bournemouth striker Eli Junior Kroupi this summer, although the Cherries are doing ‘everything they can’ to prevent the North London club from securing the player, according to journalist Peter O’Rourke.

Kroupi scored 13 goals in his debut campaign in the Premier League after completing a switch from Lorient to the south coast of England last summer. This impressive return has sparked interest from some of the country’s top clubs, including Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester United.

The Lilywhites have emerged as the frontrunners in the chase for the young Frenchman, although Bournemouth’s reported £85 million valuation could ultimately prevent the deal from materialising.

The Europa League side are intent on keeping hold of their prized possession ahead of what is set to be a historic season in their club’s history.

Bournemouth keen to deter Tottenham from Junior Kroupi move

Spurs have emerged from a dire season firing on all cylinders in the transfer market. Sandro Tonali has joined in a mammoth £100million move, while Mateus Fernandes has signed for the North Londoners for £85million.

Roberto De Zerbi has also strengthened his backline significantly, adding Jan Paul van Hecke, Marcos Senesi and Andy Robertson to his ranks.

Now, attention has turned to bolstering the forward line. Cody Gakpo and Savinho are targets for De Zerbi, while they also want a new centre-forward to compete with and eventually succeed the likes of Richarlison and Dominic Solanke.

Kroupi is understood to be the primary target, but Bournemouth are looking to make things difficult for Spurs in their pursuit of the 20-year-old.

Journalist O’Rourke told Football Insider that the Cherries are doing ‘everything they can’ to keep hold of the number nine.

“Kroupi is somebody that they’re [Spurs] definitely interested in, whether they can pull it off or not, it’s going to be very difficult, there’s no doubt about that,” he said.

“Bournemouth are doing everything they can to keep hold of the player. They’ve put a huge price tag on his head as well.”

Tottenham need to be careful in Junior Kroupi pursuit

via Reuters

Multiple reports suggest that £85million is the sum Spurs will have to stump up to land Kroupi.

While this would be a reasonable fee in the context of this market for the most promising young striker available, Tottenham need to be careful in their pursuit of the former Lorient man.

By all accounts, Bournemouth are desperate not to lose the youngster in this window. This desperation could ultimately be reflected in the asking price, which could easily rise above the £85million mark in reality.

At somewhere between £90million and £100million, this move becomes a huge risk for Spurs. While Kroupi has shown glimpses of brilliance, there is no guarantee that he will develop into a superstar striker.

This potential fee reflects a nailed-on generational striker — something Kroupi simply cannot be considered as, just yet.