Manchester United reportedly enquired about Brighton midfielder Yves Bissouma before the Mali midfielder joined Tottenham Hotspur in a £25million deal.
United are hoping to strengthen their engine room under new manager Erik ten Hag following a series of high-profile exits.
Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic and Juan Mata are all leaving Old Trafford when their contracts expire at the end of the month.
Central midfield has been a problem area for United for years and they are interested in signing both Frenkie de Jong from Barcelona and Christian Eriksen.