Manchester United may get a clear path to wrapping up a perfect Casemiro replacement deal, but that doesn’t mean a deal will be easy to strike. The Red Devils are on the lookout for a holding or hybrid midfielder this summer following Casemiro’s departure, which leaves a sizable hole in the middle of the park.

Michael Carrick is being given a big budget this summer, and it’s clear he wants to sign a midfielder or two, with a holding midfielder seen as the priority, while United could pivot to more of a hybrid midfielder who can do the defensive and offensive work.

One option that has emerged as an alternative to reported prime target Matues Fernandes is Felix Nmecha, and there is a fresh update in that particular race.

Fresh Nmecha twist as rivals drop out

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha, who has quietly emerged as one of the more reliable midfielders in Europe, is a player United are said to have kept an eye on. The midfielder did sign a new contract earlier this summer, which could complicate a deal, but it is not out of the question that the Germany World Cup star is sold at the right price this summer.

And in good news for United, Newcastle United, who were rumoured to be interested in an £86million deal, have been ruled out of the race by the Chronicle Live.

The Tyneside outlet reported: “Newcastle, quite simply, aren’t in the market for players costing that sort of money. Having spent a whopping £240million last summer – part-funded by Alexander Isak’s British record sale and the exit of Sean Longstaff, Miguel Almiron and Lloyd Kelly – their budget is a lot tighter this window.”

That means Newcastle won’t be in the competition for Nmecha, opening the door to United. A deal could be hard to reach with Dortmund this summer, but £86million might just do it, and United would be spending a similar figure to sign the aforementioned Fernandes this summer. That could give Carrick and Co a decision to make.

Nmecha on his way to being ‘one of the best’

Nmecha is quickly emerging as one of the best up-and-coming midfielders in the game, now 25 years of age. His World Cup performances have turned heads this summer, and Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann saw it coming.

“Felix worked hard and trained well during rehab,” said the Germany boss earlier this year. “He rebuilt his muscle strength and gained exceptional stability in his knee – more than before. During his 20-minute run-out, his first action after nine weeks out was a sharp turn and a 40-metre burst of speed, and I thought: ‘That’s it—he’s back.’

“In the last game, he worked his socks off for 90 minutes. He coped with that very well too. (He’s) a top player who has everything it takes to be one of the best midfielders in the world. He has so much talent, so much pace, so much dynamism. He’s healthy, he’s fit, he has no problems, and he’ll help us enormously to play a good tournament. We already have a world-class player.”

Liverpool have failed to convince Yan Diomande to replace Mohamed Salah as the Ivorian winger is prioritising a move to Paris Saint-Germain, according to David Ornstein of The Athletic.

Ornstein reports that Diomande has chosen PSG as his next club if he leaves RB Leipzig this summer. The in-demand attacking gem had been at the top of the Reds’ wishlist to replace Salah following the Egyptian’s exit.

Diomande is one of Europe’s most highly-admired wonderkids, and he starred for Leipzig last season. The 19-year-old bagged 13 goals and 10 assists in 36 games across competitions.

Diomande Chooses PSG Over Liverpool

REUTERS/Annegret Hilse

Diomande prefers a move to PSG because he believes this gives him a better opportunity to lift trophies regularly and win the Ballon d’Or. He has been convinced by the project overseen by club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos.

The Ivorian is also keen on playing under Luis Enrique and he is therefore set to reject Liverpool and hope for a move to the Parc des Princes to take place. For Andoni Iraola, it’s a massive setback as the Leipzig star had been the club’s top target.

Liverpool presented Leipzig with a package worth €100million (£86.8m; $115m) for Diomande. The Bundesliga club rejected this and insisted on a €130m fee for their exciting winger.

The German outfit are trying to get Diomande tied down to a new deal with his current contract expiring in 2030. If he does depart Red Bull Arena this summer, it seems likely that he’ll be headed to the French capital.

Liverpool Will Have to Look Elsewhere

via Reuters

Iraola and Liverpool’s transfer chiefs will have to go back to the drawing board and decide on an alternative following Diomande’s decision. They do have three options in mind and one of them boasts Premier League experience.

GIVEMESPORT senior correspondent Ben Jacobs has confirmed that the Reds have Lille’s Matias Fernandez-Pardo, Koln’s Said El Mala and Brighton & Hove Albion’s Yankuba Minteh on their shortlist. He told The Redmen TV that the club are “actively working on alternatives” and “want to be informed on the valuation of those targets.”

Perhaps the most enticing of the trio is El Mala, who has been on several Premier League clubs’ radars. The 19-year-old flourished in the Bundesliga last season, posting 13 goals and five assists in 36 games across competitions.

Liverpool are said to have fresh competition over their prime winger target this summer. The Reds are hoping to land a new attacker this summer despite having already snapped up Spain star Victor Muñóz on an early-summer deal, with Mo Salah’s departure leaving an almighty hole at Anfield.

Andoni Iraola will want to fill that hole, but he must also be cognisant of the other needs within his squad, with a winger likely to cost big money. At this point, it’s clear RB Leipzig and Ivory Coast winger Yan Diomande is the prime target, but there is now fresh competition amid an eye-water price tag.

Real Madrid enter the race for Diomande

Gonzalo Fuentes via Reuters

According to El Debate, Real Madrid have now entered the race for Diomande as José Mourinho looks to bolster his own attack. Los Blancos do have Vinicius Jr on the left, but there is potential for Diomande to play on the other side, given Rodrygo is going to be out until winter time following his long-term injury.

Real Madrid have the financial power to compete with Liverpool and PSG, who are said to be the main competitors for Diomande at this point, and it’s no secret Los Blancos club president Florentino Perez wants a Galactico signing this summer to back up his presidential promise of delivering one, even if fans already know that promise was an empty one.

What will help Liverpool and PSG is that Mourinho is said to be prioritising a high-profile midfield signing, with Chelsea star Enzo Fernandez being linked, and it’s unlikely the Spanish giants will spend another €100million on another single player after they address the midfield.

Still, there is cause for concern for Liverpool, who are now reportedly preparing a fresh offer worth £103.5million, which would be staggering money to pay for a 19-year-old.

Liverpool think Diomande is worth the money

Action Images

The Reds clearly believe Diomande is generational talent in the making, given they are willing to pay so much for a player who is relatively unproven. Diomande’s World Cup performances are also helping keep the asking price ticking upwards, as is interest from PSG, who could sell Bradley Barcola this summer.

Former Reds boss Jurgen Klopp agrees with the assessment of Diomande, too, recently saying: “Diomande is one of the best wingers in the world right now. He is unstoppable in one-on-one situations. Nobody defends Diomande for 90 minutes.”

That is high praise, given the standard of wingers at this World Cup, and Klopp is clearly a fine assessor of football talent.