Manchester United stars celebrating their win over Brighton. (Image: Getty)
Manchester United have reportedly struck a verbal agreement to sign a new midfielder on a five-year contract. The Premier League season ended just hours ago, with Michael Carrick’s side winning 3-0 away to Brighton to end the campaign on a high, but INEOS are already getting down to business.
With Casemiro officially departing, and Manuel Ugarte possibly joining him out the door at Old Trafford, there is considerable pressure to bolster the midfield ranks. Kobbie Mainoo and Mason Mount are the only other senior options in central midfield, with Player of the Year Bruno Fernandes almost certain to play a role further forward under Carrick.
The Red Devils are set to recruit heavily in this area and are closing in on one deal. TalkSPORT claim that United have reached a verbal agreement with Atalanta star Ederson on a five-year contract, with negotiations between the two clubs advancing on a potential £43million transfer.
However, they are planning to add at least one more midfielder to the squad this summer, with Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson the top target.
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With a summer away at the World Cup waiting Anderson, he could delay a decision on his future until the tournament is over, while Manchester City pose a serious threat to any £100m transfer.
United are also keen on West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes and Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni, while Newcastle would have to lower their asking price on Sandro Tonali for United to make a move.
Ederson has agreed a contract at Manchester United. (Image: Getty)
Other options include Carlos Baleba and Alex Scott, but Bournemouth are in a strong position to keep hold of their key man after securing Europa League football next season. Meanwhile, Baleba has endured a mixed season at Brighton and did not start in Sunday’s season finale.
Wolves’ Joao Gomes was previously considered, but he is set to complete a move to Atletico Madrid.
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Carrick has called on INEOS already to support Mainoo in the transfer market. After signing his contract to stay on at United, the head coach said: “I mean, there’s a balance. There’s a balance as a football club because you’re not necessarily, whenever it is, bringing a player in just to play with one player.
“I think it’s about fitting the squad, the balance of the squad, being able to cope with playing here, in different competitions with so many games.
“So, it’s not necessarily, I’m talking quite broadly here in general, of any player, you’re not just bringing them just to play with one player, but certainly there’s dynamics and there’s a balance that needs to be had.
“And the beauty about Kobbie is that he can do so many things well and I think he’s proven that and he’s evolved so much in the four or five months that I’ve seen his progress.
“And that’s him, I’m not taking the credit for that, he’s done that himself, but I think he’s shown that he can do so many things, you know, so it makes bringing players in to play with a player like Kobbie a little bit easier when he can adapt himself, and I think he’s adapted over time, playing a slightly different role for us already.”