Manchester United's summer transfer business is not yet finished, according to manager Michael Carrick, who has made clear his desire to strengthen the squad further before the window closes.
The club has already completed a number of deals this summer, most recently bringing in goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds United. Darlow's arrival is intended to provide competition and depth behind first-choice goalkeeper Senne Lammens, rather than represent one of the marquee additions United fans have been anticipating.
That appetite for a headline signing has only grown given the spending habits of United's likely rivals for a top-four finish. Both Chelsea and Tottenham have already broken the £100 million barrier for individual signings during this window, raising the question of whether United will follow suit before Deadline Day.
When asked directly whether supporters could expect an £100 million arrival at Carrington before the window shuts, Carrick did not rule it out. "Well that's what we're trying to do," he said. "A little bit depends on what position that is and what you've got and the dynamics you need at certain points. Sometimes you do need that if it's the right player."
The United boss was careful to stress that fee size alone is not the driving factor behind the club's recruitment strategy. "Again, it's not purely on money. Obviously over time we need to be pushing to look to enhance the squad. So, yeah, 100% we need to do that," Carrick added.
Despite the club's efforts so far this summer, Carrick made it clear there is no sense of satisfaction or complacency in the recruitment department. "We've done really good business. So we're delighted with that [but] we want more, we need more, we keep looking for how we can do that, so that never stops," he said.
Amid the broader search for reinforcements, one specific transfer subplot involving United has taken an interesting turn. Chelsea full-back Lewis Hall has been linked with a move to Old Trafford, and developments elsewhere in the Premier League could have a direct bearing on that situation.
Newcastle United have moved for Benfica full-back Amar Dedic, a deal that could carry significant implications for United's pursuit of Hall. Although Dedic operates predominantly as a right-back, he is also capable of playing on the left, which has fuelled speculation that Newcastle may be preparing a replacement in anticipation of Hall's potential departure.
According to reporting from The Athletic, Newcastle's interest in Dedic stems from an immediate need at right-back, with no senior options currently available in that position. Tino Livramento, their first-choice right-back, is unlikely to return to fitness until later in the month, leaving Newcastle short of cover in that area of the pitch regardless of any developments involving Hall.
Should Newcastle push through a deal for Dedic to solve their immediate defensive concerns, it could free up the path for Hall to leave in search of regular first-team football elsewhere, with United among the clubs said to be monitoring his situation closely.
For now, Carrick's focus remains on ensuring his squad is fully equipped for the challenges ahead, with the manager keen to stress that recruitment at United is an ongoing process rather than a box-ticking exercise completed once a marquee name arrives.
Based on reporting from Standard Football.