Jadon Sancho is still weighing up his options after leaving Manchester United in June, with his next club yet to be settled.

United were unable to recover a fee when his contract expired this summer, meaning Sancho departed on a free transfer. Since then, he has remained available and, according to journalist Ben Jacobs, is currently “exploring all options” as a free agent. Interest is said to exist from clubs in the Middle East and Europe.

Al Rayyan are one of the teams to have shown an interest. The Qatar Stars League has become an increasingly familiar destination for players moving on from Europe, with Roberto Firmino, Julian Draxler and Aleksandar Mitrović among those already featuring there. Mitrović is currently at Al Rayyan. In Sancho’s case, though, the situation has not advanced. An “initial enquiry” was made three weeks ago, but there have been no talks since, and Al Rayyan are not expected to come back in.

That leaves Sancho without a long list of high-profile suitors. His performances have not regularly matched the level he produced at Borussia Dortmund before joining United, and any future move is expected to involve significant wages and a signing-on fee.

There has also been speculation about a return to Dortmund. Bild recently reported that BVB are interested, and that possibility comes after they lost one of their first-team forwards in Karim Adeyemi, who joined Barcelona for $33 million (€29 million). Sancho, for now, remains in search of his next club.

Manchester United’s pursuit of Manu Koné is being viewed in Rome as a test of timing as much as valuation, with the midfielder’s future linked to a fast-approaching deadline.

Reports from Corriere dello Sport suggest Roma are becoming increasingly impatient with United’s slow pace. The issue is not a lack of interest, but rather United’s preference to wait until they are satisfied a target represents the right value before moving forward.

That caution is colliding with Roma’s own financial reality. UEFA are scrutinising the club after a breach of Financial Fair Play regulations in the 2021-22 season, and a settlement reportedly requires Roma to raise around $57 million (€50 million, £43 million) before July 31. The expectation had been that Koné might already have been sold for that kind of fee, yet no move has come close to materialising.

Roma remain willing to sell, but only for a limited time. That leaves Koné, a France international, in an increasingly interesting position as United weigh their midfield options. The market contains several alternatives, including Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga of Real Madrid, as well as Premier League names such as Carlos Baleba of Brighton & Hove Albion and Bournemouth pair Alex Scott and Tyler Adams.

United, though, are still said to be undecided over their top target. Fabrizio Romano explained the situation clearly: “Man Utd spoke to the agents of [Koné],” Fabrizio Romano revealed. “Man Utd had concrete conversations with the agents of the player, but Man Utd are yet to reach out to Roma because they are yet to decide which player they want as defensive midfielder.

“So Man Utd have not started an official negotiation with Roma, have not sent an official bid for Manu Koné because of what they want to do in midfield.”

Manchester United may end up benefiting from Real Madrid’s sudden interest in Rodri, with the possible consequences for Aurélien Tchouaméni and Eduardo Camavinga potentially reshaping the market.

A move for Rodri would not automatically require Madrid to sell either midfielder, but the financial case would be strengthened if one of them were moved on. There is also the possibility that being pushed out of Madrid’s strongest XI could make Tchouaméni reconsider where his future lies.

The Daily Mail writes that Premier League clubs are “on alert” over Tchouaméni, while BBC Sport says Madrid are “willing to discuss” a deal.

United were understood to have made an enquiry about a transfer at the start of the summer, although progress has been limited by Tchouaméni’s wish to stay at the Bernabéu. He had reportedly reached an agreement to extend his contract until 2031, though that has only been reported and not confirmed, leaving his current stance unclear.

Even if Tchouaméni were to tell Real Madrid that he wants out, any deal would remain costly and could rise above $90 million. His annual salary is also estimated at just under the equivalent of $14 million, which would be another obstacle for interested clubs.

That sits against United’s recent approach in the market. The club backed away from more expensive moves for Elliot Anderson, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali, instead chasing cheaper options such as Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans. Their wider search has also brought links to Tyler Adams, Mamadou Sangaré and Danilo, while the now cancelled Éderson move was attractive in part because of its lower price.

This is not a question of United lacking the means for Tchouaméni. It is whether the economics make sense alongside their other priorities. Carlos Baleba remains the only defensive midfield target with a similar price level, though his basic salary is estimated at under $1 million.

If Rodri’s arrival reduces Tchouaméni’s minutes, Camavinga’s position could become even more precarious. The Frenchman is already under pressure after a poor end to last season cost him his place at the World Cup.