Manchester United have been handed a major lift in their chase for Louis Page, with a journalist reporting that the Leicester City midfielder is “keen” on a move to Old Trafford before the summer transfer window shuts.

Manchester United have already added two midfielders this summer, signing Andrey Santos from Chelsea and Youri Tielemans from Aston Villa.

The Red Devils, who are set to play in the Champions League next season under manager Michael Carrick, are now looking to complete a third midfield addition in this transfer window.

Experienced and international names such as Manu Kone of AS Roma and Aurelien Tchouameni of Real Madrid are also on Manchester United’s shortlist.

Even so, it may yet be Leicester youngster Page who becomes Manchester United’s third midfield signing of the summer.

Page is regarded as one of the finest young midfielders in English football outside the Premier League.

The teenager has made 21 senior appearances for Leicester so far in his career and was named EFL Apprentice of the Year last season.

Earlier on Saturday, BBC Sport senior football correspondent Sami Mokbel reported that Manchester United were in discussions over reaching an agreement for Page.

Mokbel wrote at 1:17pm on August 9: “Exc: Man Utd working on deal for Leicester teenage midfielder Louis Page.

“Arsenal and Aston Villa also in race to land 18 y/o but Utd trying to advance.

“England U20 international has made over 20 senior appearances for Leicester.”

Mokbel added in his BBC Sport report that Page is ‘one of the most exciting talents outside the top flight’.

The well-connected journalist also revealed: ‘Talks over an agreement are understood to be ongoing.

‘Arsenal and Aston Villa have shown a big interest too in Page, who turned 18 last month, in recent weeks.’

There has since been another encouraging development for the Old Trafford supporters, with Sky Sports News reporter Danyal Khan saying that the youngster wants to make the move to Old Trafford.

Khan posted at 2:40pm on August 9: “Manchester United are interested in signing #lcfc teenager and midfielder Louis Page, as reported by @SamiMokbel_BBC.

“Understand Page is keen on joining #mufc this summer.

“Midfielder won EFL Apprentice of the Year last season.”

While Manchester United fans will be pleased to hear that Page wants to join the club, they have also been told by transfer expert Fabrizio Romano that Marcus Rashford could still be part of Carrick’s first-team squad next season.

Romano said: “Marcus Rashford has really strong chances to stay at Manchester United.

“I’m told that unless a crazy bid arrives – and it has to be from a top club, because Rashford is not going to Saudi or Turkey, he is only going to speak to top European clubs – he is happy to stay at Man Utd.

“He is prepared to fight for his career in Red. The chances of him staying are serious and concrete.

“The expectation is that there will be decisions made soon, in terms of club announcements, but this is the direction [they are going in].

“It means Man Utd are not looking for a player in that position, and a player like Rashford staying, a few months ago, was completely unexpected.

“Michael Carrick is pushing for this solution.

“He is really happy for Rashford to stay, and would be really happy to welcome him back.

“Rashford is back at Carrington and will travel with the squad, meaning that something is changing between the club and the player.”