INEOS begin serious talks with Manchester United on £80m star contract

The first signing of the Michael Carrick era at Manchester United was an inbound deal. The Red Devils are set to welcome Atalanta midfielder Ederson to the club in the coming weeks.

This would tick a huge box in the hierarchy’s efforts to improve the United squad, with Carrick and the team needing not one but two midfielders to fill the holes in the squad.

Casemiro will no longer play for the club and will leave when his contract expires at the end of this month. Manuel Ugarte also looks set to leave the club after a period of indifference at United.

Once they complete the deal for Ederson for a transfer worth around £35 million, it is thought they will be targeting bigger names and more expensive options in the middle of the park.

Manchester United could sign £80m star to replace Ederson

Hailed by Italian content creator Damiano Coccia as “the best defensive midfielder in the world”, it is no exaggeration to say that Ederson is a valuable addition to Carrick’s ranks.

Although not a household name, the Brazilian has been one of Serie A’s most effective and consistent midfielders for some time now.

Since joining from Salernitana in the 2022-23 season, he has rarely missed a league match and has played more than 30 times in each of his four seasons with Atalanta. As a warrior, he appears able to replace the attributes Casemiro left behind.

So who will be next? Now, West Ham’s Matheus Fernandes continues to be linked with a move to Old Trafford, as they appear to be stepping up plans to sign the midfielder.

According to Caught Offside, United have “accelerated” contract negotiations with the player and are in deep discussions with Fernandes’ agent about a move.

Fernandes himself is said to be attracted to the idea of ​​playing in the Champions League and wants a move to United.

Talks are yet to take place between the clubs, but Gary Jacob of The Times’ Monday night report said the Hammers have placed a valuation of £80m on his neck.

Why Fernandes can replicate Mbeumo’s success at United

Last summer, United knew they needed a change in attack. They have been signing project players from overseas for too long. See Antony, Rasmus Hojlund, and Joshua Zirkzee for prime examples.

However, they have selected two of the best players in the Premier League outside of the typical big six in Brian Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha. It went very well.

Fresh off a season in which Mbeumo scored 20 goals for Brentford and Cunha scored 17 for Wolves, they have bounced back to life like ducks to water at Old Trafford.

Their adjustment period was smooth. I didn’t see any hiccups and started running quickly. Although neither player reached the same heights as in the 2024/25 season, they still attracted attention. Mbeumo scored 12 goals and Cunha beat the goalkeeper 10 times.

Fernandes’ regime won’t sign similar players, but it would be a repeat of the strategy that worked so well a year ago. Like Mbeumo and Cunha, the West Ham midfielder has a proven track record in the Premier League and will be ready to hit the ground running.

Unlike Ederson, little adaptation period is required. The Portuguese midfielder knows the pace of the league and more than that, he has been brilliant in the league for some time now.

Fernandes may have suffered through back-to-back relegations with Southampton and the Irons, but he really stood up for his team in both seasons. So, at just 21 years old, he is one of the best young midfielders in Europe.

So what is he all about when it comes to attributes? Now, when compared to U21 midfielders in Europe’s top seven leagues throughout the 2025/26 season, the Hammers star ranks first in possession won, defensive duels won and interceptions. He also ranks second in progressive pass completions.

Rather than a deep midfielder, United will receive a versatile midfielder who can carry the ball long distances without being tackled. He’s a hybrid of Casemiro and Paul Pogba. He sweeps play like a Brazilian, but eats up the ground like an elusive Frenchman.

Throughout the 2025/26 season, only two players in the Premier League achieved a higher ratio of progressive carry distance to turnover per carry. This is basically defined by how much forward ground a player can gain by dribbling before losing the ball.

A superstar on the rise, this could just be the deal that helps transform United’s midfield ahead of the 2025/26 season. Ederson looks great, but Fernandes, even at £80m, would be a great signing from the likes of INEOS and Jason Wilcox.