A summer of major change is on the horizon at Old Trafford as Manchester United look to consolidate their progress with improvements on and off the pitch.
Erik ten Hag has worked wonders in his first season in charge, bringing the Carabao Cup to M16 and going a long way to securing Champions League football. The Dutchman has started to form a side capable of challenging at the top end of the table, but there is no secret of his wish to strengthen further this summer.
A world-class No.9 is the priority, with United all too reliant on the goals of Marcus Rashford and lacking consistent alternatives - Bruno Fernandes is the only other player in double figures this season. Reinforcements at right-back, centre-back and in goal are possible, but a ball-playing midfielder is definitely on the agenda.
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Looking back on it, United's pursuit of Frenkie de Jong was damned from the beginning. And while Casemiro has proven an outstanding signing, his profile is vastly different. Christian Eriksen has filled the hole brilliantly, but at 31 cannot be the basis of Ten Hag's long-term plans.
Interest in De Jong and Jude Bellingham suggests the calibre of midfielder United are eyeing will not come cheap, but with a major chunk of this summer's budget earmarked for a £100million-plus striker, cheaper options would be well received by the club's hierarchy.
That search for cut-price alternatives could see United pluck talent from Premier League clubs facing relegation, the most obvious of which is Romeo Lavia. The 19-year-old has been a shining light in an otherwise dismal campaign at Southampton, who look nailed on for Championship football next season.
The Saints only signed Lavia from Manchester City for £14million last summer, but by deadline day of that same window had turned down a desperate £50million bid from Chelsea. Their decision to reject the offer was not thought to be one of finance, rather having no time to scout and sign a replacement.
28 appearances this season have yielded just one goal and one assist for the Belgian, but Southampton fans will testify to his quality beyond those stats. Their problems have come in both boxes, but the midfield pair of Lavia and James Ward-Prowse has kept them from drowning earlier.
Lavia's past admission that he idolises Sergio Busquets would come as no surprise to those who frequent St Mary's on a fortnightly basis. The teenager's quality on the ball in tight spaces is typical of a player who spent time at City, and his ability to dictate play from deep resembles that of last summer's main target De Jong.
With relegation now looking almost certain, the sale of Lavia to a top-flight side becomes inevitable. Chelsea's interest may have cooled given they eventually doubled their Lavia offer to sign Enzo Fernandez in January, but Arsenal are also reportedly exploring a move.
Interestingly, City are said to have inserted a £40million buy-back clause into the deal, although that will not become active until 2024, leaving this summer as the opportune moment to swoop in and cut a deal.
United have three brilliant midfielders at their disposal - they remain unbeaten when Eriksen, Fernandes and Casemiro start together - but their absences throughout recent months have only highlighted a lack of depth. Lavia would be an ideal option to come in and develop over the next 12 months and could come at a fraction of the cost.
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