Manchester United’s title favorite signs ‘one of Europe’s best commercials’

Casemiro waved goodbye to Manchester United on Sunday, which could be his last game for the club.

The Red Devils still have one game left in this season’s Premier League, so it is fitting that the Brazilian’s final game will be at home.

The midfielder has really enjoyed this campaign. His nine goals are the most he has scored in a single season during his career. Not bad for a player that Jamie Carragher told him to quit football a few years ago.

Since making these comments on Sky Sports, the former Real Madrid superstar has taken his game to a new level in United red. Along with Bruno Fernandes, he is the best player of the 2025/26 season.

So, in an unexpected turn of events, they will miss him dearly next season. His contract is up and he will leave the team at the end of the season.

Manchester United likely to sign Casemiro’s replacement for big money

Two of the most talked about names in recent weeks include Ederson and Carlos Baleva. As for the latter, United are said to have agreed personal terms with him last summer.

These terms are still in effect and players still wish to participate. However, things are not that simple. Valeva has endured a difficult season compared to the 2024/25 season, potentially keeping away suitors who could carry an £80m price tag.

However, Ederson would be much cheaper at around £40 million. Crucial to this story is that Atalanta are open to a sale and, like Baleva, the player has reportedly already agreed a deal with the Red Devils. It looks like a lot of work has already been done on this.

But it doesn’t seem like a big-name addition that would really take coach Michael Carrick’s team to the next level.

If they’re in the shape of Elliott Anderson or Sandro Tonali, they could tick that box. The latest news on Tonali is that Arsenal and Manchester City are competing with United for his signature.

Reports from Italy this weekend via Sport Witness revealed that two Manchester clubs are in contention over a move that could cost a whopping £87 million. Italy have also expressed interest, but it is believed that they are unlikely to meet Newcastle United’s asking price.

This puts United and City in pole position to sign Tonali, with the club revealed he is the ‘most likely’ transfer destination this summer.

Comparison of Tonali and Ederson and Baleva

Jason Wilcox and others are widely expected to be considering bringing two midfielders to Old Trafford this summer. What this probably means is that United will stick to one name heavily and look for cheaper alternatives elsewhere.

A year ago, Baleva looked like a great option for United, but after Baleva leaves in the 2025/26 season, they should distance themselves from the Brighton midfielder. In fact, Tonali and possibly Ederson would make a lot more sense.

Of course, Anderson is the first choice, but that move is incredibly unlikely, so they’ll have to focus elsewhere.

In Tonali, they will be signing a player with a proven track record in the Premier League, hailed by Newcastle reporter Joel Brand as “one of the best midfielders in Europe”.

Although Baleva has experience at the top level in England, the Italian midfielder has been playing at a much higher level in recent years. The numbers in this term tell you everything you need to know.

While Ederson and Baleva may be more aggressive in terms of winning duels, both of them have more than 5 wins per 90 minutes compared to 3.8 for Tonali, when it comes to progression of play, there aren’t many players in Europe who are better than the Italian when it comes to deep midfielders.

Newcastle’s midfield general has completed 8.29 forward passes and 3.30 progressive passes per 90 this season. Bareva, on the other hand, only had 4.46 points and 1.59 points. As for Ederson, he’s pretty close to that. He completes 9.02 forward passes and 3.28 progressive passes per 90.

But what he doesn’t have is experience playing in England. Manchester United found out first-hand what that means this season.

Benjamin Sesko took a while to get up to speed, but Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha hit the ground quickly. That’s why Tonali would be a better addition than Ederson. In Valeva’s case, he’s just a better player in general and in better shape.