Man United are reportedly poised to make an 'immediate bid' for a near-£40 million player who Tottenham were in pole position to sign since last summer.
Man United make transfer plans as Carrick closes in on permanent job
The transformation at Old Trafford since Michael Carrick took the reins in January has been one of the most striking stories in English football this season.
Seven wins and just one defeat from ten league games in charge.
His achievements include a climb to third in the Premier League, Champions League qualification looking a near-certainty as things stand and inspiring a squad that looked broken under Ruben Amorim.
David Beckham spoke for many former players when he told talkSPORT the experience of watching United had become considerably more comfortable than it had been at any point in the past decade.
INEOS are watching just as closely.
Sky Sports reported last week that United have not approached a single alternative managerial candidate since Carrick's appointment — an emphatic statement of confidence in a man who officially only holds the job until the end of the season.
With Thomas Tuchel committed to England through the World Cup and Carlo Ancelotti having signed a Brazil extension, the high-profile alternatives have removed themselves from contention.
Carrick is now reported to be firmly among the final three names on the club's shortlist, while TEAMtalk suggest he is the outright frontrunner.
The permanent appointment still won't be confirmed until the summer, but the direction of travel is unmistakable.
That growing certainty about the managerial picture is freeing the recruitment department to plan boldly for what comes next.
Midfield is the clear priority, with Casemiro's contract expiring at season's end and Manuel Ugarte expected to follow him out.
Fabrizio Romano has confirmed United are "working hard" on a deal for Sandro Tonali — the Italian midfielder Newcastle value at around £100m — with the Daily Mail reporting the club now has momentum in that pursuit.
A meeting with Bruno Guimaraes' representatives has also been reported, though Romano was measured in his assessment, noting there remains "a long way to go" before any deal materialises with Newcastle holding firm.
However, it is news from Italy today that will particularly catch the attention of Tottenham and United, with the former nursing hopes of signing Evan Ndicka since last summer.
Man United to make 'immediate bid' for Evan Ndicka in blow for Tottenham
According to SoloLaRoma, Man United have now formally entered the race for the 26-year-old Roma centre-back, with Bayern Munich also joining a group of suitors that already features Barcelona, Liverpool, Besiktas and Spurs.
United's entry alters the balance of a transfer pursuit that Spurs had appeared best-placed to win since mid-2025, and were believed to be favourites until now.
Ndicka is a left-footed, physically dominant central defender who joined Roma on a free from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023 — where he was part of the side that won the Europa League a year earlier — and has developed into one of Serie A's most consistent performers.
SoloLaRoma also state that United are 'poised to leapfrog the competition with an immediate bid' for Ndicka.
He has featured 35 times across all competitions this season, scoring five, including in three consecutive league games.
Last season he became the first Roma outfield player since 2004 to play every single minute of every league fixture.
Former manager Claudio Ranieri called him "a warrior" who had been "phenomenal" for the club.
Roma's asking price sits around £39 million, but crucially, the club may be compelled to sell before June 30 due to financial obligations to UEFA — a detail that adds urgency to what is quickly becoming a crowded negotiation.
For United, addressing the centre-back position makes considerable sense.
A left-sided, ball-playing defender of Ndicka's calibre would complement Lisandro Martínez perfectly when fit, and provide competition for Harry Maguire, who is in advanced talks over a new deal.
Spurs spent months as favourites, but they may now find themselves outgunned entirely.