Rangers are looking to continue adding to their midfield even after winning the race to sign former Sunderland star Dan Neil, who found himself needing a new club after his contract came to an end. Neil secured back-to-back promotions after spending time on loan with Ipswich Town last season, and he now heads to Ibrox to work under Derek McInnes.

That deal followed a statement goalkeeper signing, with Ivor Pandur arriving from Hull City on a £6million deal, and Rangers are not done there. The Glasgow side know they need to improve the quality of their squad to catch up with Celtic – and perhaps even Hearts – and McInnes is being backed after his summer arrival from Edinburgh.

Rangers now eyeing another midfielder

via Reuters

McInnes still wants more midfield strength even after signing Neil, and according to Rangers Review, Partizan Belgrade skipper Vanja Dragojevic is of interest. With Nico Raskin and Mohamed Diomande potentially heading out this summer, McInnes will feel he needs adequate depth in the middle.

The report claims 20-year-old Dragojevic is now an option, although a deal may not be easy to reach, given he only signed a new contract last season, theoretically keeping him in place until 2030.

Despite his youth, Dragojevic is Belgrade’s captain, and he is also a two-time Serbia international. Transfermarkt already have the defensive midfielder valued at £6.8million, and given his contract situation and age, the actual price could be more than that.

Rangers continue with bold summer window

Rangers have already been busy this summer, snapping up Pandur, Neil Ross McCrorie, Ben Godfrey and Lawrence Shankland. Interestingly, rivals Celtic are yet to make a single signing this summer, although they have given Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain a new contract. New boss McInnes clearly has a good idea of where his side need to be, and he should know having led Hearts within a whisker of the title last season. “A lot of the conversations were ongoing before I came in, but obviously getting things over the line isn’t easy,” McInnes told RTV this week.

“People think it is easy to get signings in, but when there are good players involved there’s more than one team involved, so I think the board and the recruitment team should be pleased with their work so far.

“Clearly there’s still more work to do, but we are pleased with the work we have got done and getting the boys in as early as possible for all the reasons I’ve just said is vitally important. Some signings will take a bit longer, which is just the way, but getting them in and familiarising themselves with the club and everybody else is important.”

Manchester United may have a midfielder transfer ready to go if they decide to return to an old target. It has been a frustrating search for a new midfielder for the Red Devils this summer, with Michael Carrick currently searching for a Casemiro replacement.

United have signed Ederson this summer, but it’s clear they want another midfielder, preferably one who can operate with a defensive mindset, and they have missed out on priority target Mateus Fernandes, who joined Tottenham instead.

The search goes on for now, and United do have some options, be it AFC Bournemouth’s Alex Scott, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba or others.

Man Utd can always return to Baleba deal

via Reuters

According to GiveMeSport’s Ben Jacobs, United already have terms agreed with Brighton midfielder Baleba should they return with fresh interest, but the price point could be an issue.

“You have Carlos Baleba who’s still there. If Man United revisit that deal, the player wants Manchester United,” said Jacobs on the Market Madness podcast. “Terms were agreed with the player last summer, but it depends on if Man United want to rekindle that deal now they’ve missed out on other targets, and it’s also contingent on Brighton not turning around and saying Elliot Anderson, 116million, and so on, Mateus Fernandes, 5 million, and pointing to a number that starts with a one and has two zeros on it, because Man United’s valuation of Carlos Baleba last summer was 75million.

“That was when Baleba was peak interest, peak form, now he’s coming off the back of a less consistent season, a couple of injuries, and Manchester United, if they were to go for Baleba, would want to pay less than they were willing to pay last summer. Brighton are always tough negotiators.”

Ferdinand backs Baleba move

United legend Rio Ferdinand is a big fan of Baleba’s, saying earlier this year on TNT Sports: “Baleba is a serious talent, no doubt. He’s fearless on the ball, drives forward with confidence, and already shows maturity in how he reads danger and transitions play. What stands out is his aggression in duels and recovery speed — he wins the ball and actually does something progressive with it. That’s key in today’s Premier League.

“If you’re looking at a long-term replacement for Casemiro, Baleba makes real sense. He’s got more legs, more mobility, and fits a high-intensity system better right now. Compared to Aurélien Tchouaméni, Baleba offers more dynamism and ball-carrying in transitions. And over Anderson, he’s far more disciplined and defensively reliable. He might not have the experience yet, but profile-wise, he’s exactly what modern midfield demands.”

Fabrizio Romano has revealed the two midfielders Manchester United have high on their shortlist after missing out on Mateus Fernandes.

Tottenham Hotspur beat the Red Devils to Fernandes’ signature after paying West Ham United’s £85 million asking price up front. The Portuguese midfielder had been one of INEOS’ top midfield targets, but the club refused to match Spurs’ bid for the player.

It means United have again gone back to the drawing board after also failing to land Elliot Anderson. The England star preferred a move to Manchester City, who paid £116m to Nottingham Forest, making him the most expensive British player in history.

Romano on Man Utd midfield plans

via Reuters

United have long been expected to sign at least two new midfielders this summer following Casemiro‘s departure. There had also been doubts over Manuel Ugarte’s future, although a knee ligament injury seems likely to prevent a summer transfer.

Romano, speaking on his YouTube channel, has given an update on the club’s plans to overhaul Michael Carrick’s midfield. Two names are highly admired, and one is viewed as an ideal Casemiro replacement.

“The two names that Man United internally consider as fantastic options are Aurelien Tchouameni, but I told you the problem at the moment is the salary, and at the moment, no green light from Real Madrid.”

United have been eyeing Aurelien Tchouameni since the summer transfer window opened, and the French midfielder has a profile similar to Casemiro. He’s been an important player for Real Madrid over the years and even arrived at the Santiago Bernabeu for £85m after the veteran Brazilian left for Old Trafford in August 2022.

Romano added: “Alex Scott is also highly rated by Arsenal and by Manchester United. Alex Scott has many clubs around him this summer, but Bournemouth insist they want to keep the player, and they want to offer him a new contract. Let’s see if Bournemouth will be able to keep him, because one thing is to say that one thing is in the next two months resist in case they receive big proposals.”

Alex Scott enjoyed a superb past season and even earned a call-up to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the ongoing World Cup. The former Bristol City midfielder is considered an alternative to Fernandes but United face competition from Arsenal for his signature.

Romano also mentioned that Bournemouth’s stance is currently that the Englishman isn’t leaving the Vitality Stadium. He suggested the Cherries could “open doors” for “big money” amid growing interest in their midfield gem who is thought to be valued at £80m.

United already have one new midfielder signed following Ederson’s arrival from Atalanta in a £35m deal. That said, the Brazilian isn’t viewed as a starter or a marquee signing required to address Casemiro’s exit.

Why Man Utd’s midfield mission is failing

via Reuters

There are many issues that have complicated United’s midfield rebuild, including a market shift driven by astronomical fees paid for midfielders. Spurs have not only forked out £85m for Fernandes but also agreed on a staggering £100m deal with Newcastle United for Sandro Tonali.

While signing a Casemiro replacement has been a priority, doing so for such high fees wasn’t INEOS’ intention. That said, their reported stance that they only want players who are “desperate” to join the club is a strategy that won’t work this time around.

Last summer, United beat several Premier League clubs to the signings of Bryan Mbeumo, Benjamin Sesko and Matheus Cunha. They insisted on pursuing only players who had made Old Trafford their priority.

This mindset, while admirable, won’t always pan out, as players will often go where the money is. Tchouameni might be demanding high wages to make the move, and this is just where the sport finds itself in today’s game.

United can’t afford to miss out on the best possible Casemiro replacement who can lock down the number six position for years to come. He is still only 26 and would arrive with years of experience at club and country level.

All stats courtesy of SofaScore – correct as of 04/07/2026