Manchester United supporters’ hopes of keeping Casemiro at the club were dashed on Saturday.
The Brazilian announced a few months ago that he would be leaving Old Trafford when his contract expires this summer, but many at the club expected him to sign a new contract after wearing United colors again this season.
But all good things could come to an end after the midfielder confirmed his departure again this weekend. That being said, now feels like the right time for him to leave. After all, it always felt like this was going to be the year that INEOS and Co finally strengthened their midfield.
So how do you do it? Well, they’re already tied to some of the best companies in the country.
Manchester United midfield shortlist
These are the two names that have come up the most in recent months. Elliot Anderson and Adam Wharton. There is no doubt that they will command a premium, not just because they are young, but highly rated English players rarely come cheap.
Anderson was described as United’s ‘dream’ target earlier in the week, but the Nottingham Forest midfielder is not the only big-money target on United’s radar at the moment.
In fact, the Red Devils are thought to be keeping an eye on Sandro Tonali as well as Bruno Guimarães. Reports a few weeks ago suggested United were in “advanced talks” to sign the former, but those claims have since been quashed.
Now, new reports from the Center Devils suggest Man United are believed to have opened talks with Tonali’s entourage.
Up until this point, it seemed like they were just monitoring the midfielder’s situation, but during the negotiations, they seemed to be encouraged, saying, “It is understood that Tonali is open to the possibility of a transfer.”
The problem from a negotiation perspective is that previous reports suggest it could cost as much as £100m to lure him away from Newcastle.
Manchester United’s richest contract in history
Many of their additions have not lived up to expectations.
Why Tonali could be Man United’s best player in years
Manchester United may have a rich history, but it’s safe to say that the recent past has been troubled as far as this great club is concerned.
Silverware returned to Old Trafford during the reign of Erik ten Hag, but for much of the Dutchman’s reign it was something of a disaster. The less said about Ruben Amorim’s tenure, the better.
We may need to go back to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s reign to find anything like consistency. Interestingly, that was when they signed Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese joined for a fee of £67m during the coronavirus-hit 2019/20 campaign, but has he since repaid that?
With 106 goals and 103 assists in 320 appearances, Fernandes has been arguably one of the best things United have ever done, and it just feels like the team is heading in the right direction again.
For many years, the club’s transfer business was mediocre. Jadon Sancho, Anthony and Andre Onana come to mind. But they are now hitting the Premier League market hard again, just as they did during Sir Alex Ferguson’s glorious reign.
Last summer, they brought in Matheus Cunha and Brian Mbeumo. They could bring in Tonali this summer, but it’s unlikely things will go wrong.
Manchester United’s first Premier League investment since Bruno | |
|---|---|
player | signatory |
tom heaton | Aston Villa |
Wout Weghorst | Burnley (loan) |
Martin Dubravka | Newcastle (rental) |
Christian Eriksen | brentford |
mason mount | chelsea |
Johnny Evans | leicester |
Sergio Reguilon | Spurs (loan) |
Brian Mbeumo | brentford |
Matheus Cunha | wolf |
The Italian may have been suspended for gambling violations, but it’s hard to question his performance on the field. In the words of Toon reporter Joel Brand, he is “one of the best midfielders in Europe” and it’s easy to see why.
Tonali may not score as many goals, scoring just 10 goals in 104 appearances for the Magpies, but his class, accuracy on the ball and composure are second to none.
He is a proven player in the Premier League and one of the best players in the league. He is not as physical as Casemiro and has not won multiple Champions League titles like Casemiro, but at just 25 years old he has the well-rounded qualities to take Michael Carrick’s team, or whoever it is, to the next level.
Tonali isn’t going to bulldoze his way through games and be a threat like Fernandes, but it’s possible the club captain will allow him to do his job without worrying about what’s behind him.
In this season’s Champions League, the Italian international ranks within 25% of midfielders for possession in the final third. He also ranks within the top 12% in terms of the number of dribble breaks per 90 minutes (0.38) compared to players close to him in position.
A disruptor and a good reader of the game, he can also contribute effectively in the final third. In Europe’s top competition, Tonali has a 17% rate of chance creation.
£100m may be a lot of money, but it could look like a bargain in a few years, as it did when Arsenal spent almost the same amount to sign Declan Rice.
Incoming Koby Mainu has already agreed to sign with Man United in 2026
Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign their next midfield sensation.
