Man Utd Close in on Darlow, Kone Emerges as Third Midfield Option

Manchester United are making moves on several fronts this summer, with a free-agent goalkeeper close to arriving and a new name entering the midfield picture. Karl Darlow is in advanced talks to join the Red Devils on a free transfer after his contract at Leeds United expired last month, according to insider sources. The 35-year-old is seen as a backup to current number one Senne Lammens, and his arrival could pave the way for Altay Bayindir to leave Old Trafford. Everton had also shown interest in Darlow, while United briefly considered former academy product Sam Johnstone of Wolves as an experienced alternative. If completed, Darlow would become the first player to move directly between Leeds and Manchester United since 2004. In midfield, United have already secured breakthroughs for Ederson and Andrey Santos. Ederson is undergoing the second part of his medical ahead of a €45 million move from Atalanta, while Santos will arrive from Chelsea after a deal was agreed this week. Now, according to TEAMtalk, Manu Kone has emerged as a 'serious option' to become a third midfield signing. Roma have opened the door to a sale, with a fee of £50m (€58.5m) believed to be enough to convince them due to their need to comply with UEFA financial regulations. Intermediaries for the 25-year-old have reportedly spoken to Chelsea, Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool alongside United, with clubs told that Kone is 'enthusiastic' about a move to England for the right opportunity. Elsewhere, Aurélien Tchouameni has reportedly rejected United's interest and agreed a new five-year deal at Real Madrid, keeping him at the Bernabeu until 2031, per RMC. insider claims the Frenchman was 'never close' to joining United, with the club unwilling to match Real Madrid's asking price of around €130 million or the wages Tchouameni commanded. New Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho had made it clear he wanted to keep the midfielder despite a clash with Federico Valverde last season. United have also renewed contact with Borussia Dortmund full-back Julian Ryerson, BILD reports. The Norway international, currently impressing at the World Cup, finished last season with 18 assists. The €30m-rated defender had been on United's radar before, and talks with his representatives have been reopened.