Manchester United remain on the hunt for midfielders after agreeing a deal with Atalanta’s Ederson, and could potentially spend big on the Premier League star.
It’s no secret that the position is a priority for the Red Devils heading into next season, with Ederson likely to be the first of a number of impressive additions.
INEOS could use all their money-saving hacks to splash out on big bucks to land a familiar face in Michael Carrick, with Elliott Anderson at the top of their shopping list.
The Nottingham Forest midfielder is most likely to head to Manchester City at this stage, but Manchester United are not giving up anytime soon and are optimistic they can lure him to Old Trafford.
However, it won’t be a cheap deal. Man City are already reportedly willing to pay £120 million without any extra fees, which would make Anderson theirs and Man United’s biggest ever contract.
Manchester United’s richest contract in history | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
rank | player | commission | signatory | year |
1 | paul pogba | £89 million | juventus | 2016 |
2 | anthony | £81.3 million | ajax | 2022 |
3 | harry maguire | £80m | leicester city | 2019 |
4 | Romelu Lukaku | £75 million | everton | 2017 |
5 | Jadon Sancho | £73m | borussia dortmund | 2021 |
The case of Matheus Fernandes should also be considered. The West Ham United star has been in demand following the Hammers’ relegation, with the Hammers reportedly setting a hefty asking price of £85 million. Manchester United may hesitate to match such a fee again.
So it’s clear that the people at Old Trafford are thinking a lot. Strengthening the midfield is at the top of their priority list, but they may have no choice but to keep Fernandes and Andersson and choose another option.
you scored
out of 20
Manchester United considering signing £60m star
Manchester United are also considering signing Alex Scott from Bournemouth this summer, according to The Athletic. The Englishman had an excellent season with the Cherries, who value him at £60 million, and did well enough to be on the Red Devils’ radar.
He represents a cheaper option for Anderson and Fernandes without necessarily losing that important quality. The asking price could also see Manchester United sign Scott alongside Anderson, which would be the perfect scenario for two close friends. Nathan Salt of the Daily Mail went so far as to say that the two were “best buddies”.
PL 25/26 | anderson | Scott |
|---|---|---|
minutes | 3,334 | 2,859 |
tackle | 104 | 60 |
Pass accuracy | 85.5% | 84.9% |
collect | 306 | 195 |
As the midfield partnership progresses, Anderson and Scott could be a transformative pairing for Manchester United, growing from a team struggling to take control to one that dominates in the middle of the park.
Read next: Manchester United in ‘active’ negotiations to sign £70m star
A better talent than Fernandes: Manchester United in ‘active’ talks to sign £70m star
Manchester United’s transfer front is all starting to heat up.
