Felix Nmecha: Man United plot raid on Dortmund to replace key star | OneFootball

Manchester United are preparing to open talks to sign Borussia Dortmund midfielder Felix Nmecha as the club ramps up their hunt to replace Casemiro, according to the latest report from Germany.

Midfield is the priority

The Red Devils are prioritising an overhaul of the midfield this summer, with two new recruits expected to arrive at Old Trafford. Despite Casemiro‘s resurgence in form, the club have chosen not to renew the Brazil international’s contract, which is set to expire at the end of the season.

Furthermore, the disappointing form of Manuel Ugarte means the 24-year-old Uruguayan is also facing an uncertain future amid continued links to Turkish champions Galatasaray.

United’s first-choice target is Elliot Anderson, but competition is expected to be fierce for the Nottingham Forest and England maestro. Similarly, Carlos Baleba and Adam Wharton are also frontrunners as INEOS continue to prefer players with Premier League pedigree.

However, all three options are expected to cost up to £100 million, making the prospect of signing two a remote one. Consequently, INEOS will be forced to consider cheaper options on the continent, with Felix emerging as a frontrunner.

Dortmund’s Dynamo

United are long-term admirers of the Germany international, who offers a well-rounded skillset as a box-to-box midfielder.

Having just turned 25 this season, Nmecha is still approaching his prime and possesses an outstanding selection of physical attributes. He stands at an imposing 6’3″ frame but retains excellent mobility, while offering underrated ability in possession, ranking highly for ball-progression metrics.

Fussball Daten reports United are targeting a “powerful midfielder” to take Casemiro’s place at the Theatre of Dreams, with Nmecha high on the club’s radar.

The move would constitute a return to Manchester for the Dortmund dynamo, having come through City’s academy. This means he would count as a homegrown player – a further bonus for an English suitor.

Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur are understood to also have strong interest, with a “potential bidding war” set to erupt between the three Premier League heavyweights.

The German outlet reveals that while there have been no official offers yet, Nmecha’s representatives are “expected to begin talks in England shortly.” A dramatic salary jump – from “€5 million to nearly €9 million” – will be required to secure his signature, the report concludes.

Final Thoughts

Nmecha is a sensible option for the Red Devils, if he is a supplement towards a high-profile defensive midfielder. His profile lends itself perfectly to the Premier League, while his transfer fee should be far more affordable than the club’s other targets.

The German’s wage demands are on the pricier side, given he may likely be fulfilling more of a squad role at Old Trafford. However, United are almost certain to return to Europe next season – be it the Champions or Europa League – and more high-quality depth will be essential.

The fact that INEOS could strike a decisive blow to one of their rivals at the same time would just be the cherry on top.

Featured image Christof Koepsel via Getty Images

online polls

The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social