£80m star confident of signing for Manchester United

Manchester United are already making moves to strengthen manager Michael Carrick’s squad ahead of his first full season in charge of the club next season.

Manager Fabrizio Romano recently reported that the Red Devils have agreed a deal worth around £39 million to sign Brazilian central midfielder Ederson from Serie A side Atalanta to strengthen their midfield options.

The 26-year-old star is set to pen a four-year deal at Old Trafford, making him the club’s first major signing in what is shaping up to be a busy summer transfer window.

However, Carrick is keen to add more to his midfield than just Ederson, with United also reportedly interested in signing Newcastle United midfielder Sandro Tonali.

Late last month, it was reported that the Red Devils were ready to step up efforts to bring the Italian international to Manchester in the off-season.

£80m star confident of permanent move to Manchester United

However, Premier League champions Arsenal are in contract talks with Tonali, which could make it difficult for United to sign the Italian star.

The Red Devils don’t have to worry too much about losing the race to sign Tonali, however, as they are reportedly pursuing another Premier League star who is better than the Magpies.

Manchester United are in talks to sign West Ham United central midfielder Matheus Fernandes in the summer transfer window, according to reports.

The reporter claims that the player’s agent is confident that a move can be completed to leave the relegated side and play Champions League football at Old Trafford.

Connolly added that United were in talks to bring him to the club because the Portuguese international was “really respected” by many behind the scenes at United.

Meanwhile, the Evening Standard reports that West Ham are set to demand an £80m transfer fee for the former Southampton talent despite being relegated from the Premier League this season.

Why Manchester United should sign Matheus Fernandes instead of Sandro Tonali

Tonali arrives at Old Trafford as an experienced top-flight player, having made over 200 appearances in Serie A and the Premier League for AC Milan and Newcastle, winning Serie A and playing 32 times in the Champions League.

Meanwhile, Fernandes has only made one career Premier League appearance, having been relegated in the last two seasons with Southampton and West Ham.

If you were an employer considering each resume, you would choose Tonali every time. However, if you look a little closer, Fernandes appears to be the better option for United this summer.

Despite playing for a side that was relegated from the top flight, the Portuguese star has scored more goals and provided more assists than the Italian international, suggesting he could have a greater impact at the top end of United’s pitch.

The Red Devils relied heavily on Bruno Fernandes, who scored nine goals and provided 21 assists in the Premier League, to contribute to their attack from midfield, but the signing of his international teammate could provide some support in midfield.

But where the £80m star really excels is winning the ball back to his team when he is not in possession. He averaged almost three times as many tackles per game as Tonali, as he always held his body firmly in place to thwart opponents’ attacks.

So not only could the West Ham star be far more effective at winning the ball back for United than Tonali, but he could also offer more than Newcastle’s ace in his work at the top end of the pitch and be a far more complete player overall.

At 21, Fernandes is five years younger than the Italian and could have more long-term value to the Red Devils, both in terms of future value and how long he could remain a star at Old Trafford if he succeeds on the pitch.

United supporters should therefore be pleased with the latest information that their representatives are confident of getting the deal done, as it would be an even better deal than Tonali’s.