Manchester United will need to act fast to seal a double transfer before they are forced to pay considerably more. The Red Devils are already thought to be planning ahead for the summer window, by which point a new permanent manager will be in place. Michael Carrick has enjoyed a dream start to his interim spell but it’s been reported that United won’t consider appointing him on a full-time basis.

They spent heavily last summer to improve their squad, welcoming the likes of Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and Benjamin Sesko to Old Trafford. United could oversee a similarly busy window later this year, with club chiefs already said to be eyeing two transfers. They are interested in signing Tromso teenager Sedi Kinteh and Valencia youngster Hugo Fernandez, according to the Daily Mail.

However, time is of the essence for United to avoid paying a premium. Fernandez is thought to have a release clause of around £4.35m, but that figure will double at the end of August.

The young defender is attracting plenty of attention after being promoted to Valencia’s first-team squad, although he is yet to make his senior debut for the Spanish heavyweights.

Kinteh, meanwhile, is enjoying an impressive first season at Tromso since moving from Senegalese academy Mawade Wade and has already been rewarded with a new five-year contract.

The versatile defender, who can play through the middle or on the left, already represents Gambia at international level and is known for his blistering speed.

United are said to be monitoring his progress in Norway but Chelsea have also been linked with a potential move ahead of the window opening in the summer.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings.

Meanwhile, other clubs in Europe including Young Boys and Basel are said to be weighing up offers of their own, which suggests a bidding war could take place later this year.

United’s scouts are thought to be keeping close tabs on both players, although they aren’t at the top of the list given they are deemed to have similar profiles to Ayden Heaven.

The Red Devils are likely to prioritise signing established stars with the ability to immediately improve the first-team squad, such as Carlos Baleba and Elliot Anderson.

Both midfielders have been strongly linked with moves to Old Trafford, with United thought to be desperate for more quality in the engine room.

Casemiro will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the season, making the position a priority when it comes to the transfer market.