Manchester United do not intend to rest on their laurels. Senior figures are fully aware that, despite a positive end to the season that saw the fallen giant book a return to the Champions League, the squad is not good enough to compete on multiple fronts.
Casemiro’s departure leaves the most malnourished part of the squad desperately short. A midfield overhaul has long been planned, however. The algorithm has thrown out the most suitable candidates. Now it is on director of football, Jason Wilcox, to go out and get them.
Ederson
Even before Ineos came in and overhauled the transfer department, United have long coveted Brazilian all-rounder Ederson from Atalanta.
The i Paper has been told talks are at an advanced stage over a proposed transfer. Reports elsewhere that anything has been agreed are wide of the mark, however.
As has been the case throughout Ineos’ tenure, they are keen to agree a fee they feel is respectable, rectifying the profligacy of United’s previous transfer business. Sources added that a fee of around £40m should be finalised in the coming weeks.
Mateus Fernandes
Mateus Fernandes is expected to leave relegated West Ham (Photo: Getty)Keeping one Fernandes is expected to be ironed out soon, with senior figures looking to assure skipper Bruno there is a squad brewing that is capable of mounting a title tilt.
West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes is seen as the perfect foil further back for his namesake. Relegated West Ham’s need to sell also drives the 21-year-old’s price tag down.
The i Paper has been told United intend to move for Fernandes in the coming weeks due to his ability to receive the ball over the pitch, providing great competition for their own fledgling talent, Kobbie Mainoo. Sources added United are his first pick.
Carlos Baleba
As The i Paper reported earlier this year, as many as three midfielders could come in this summer. Should the Ederson and Fernandes deals be finalised, there would still be room for a big-money arrival.
Elliot Anderson is the top pick, but The i Paper has been told that United do not see themselves matching his asking price. Manchester City are the expected destination, given they will pay upwards of £100m.
Sandro Tonali is another marquee name several sources expect to go elsewhere, with Arsenal big admirers. Aurelien Tchouameni is another idealistic target, a name to bring additional gravitas.
A more realistic capture, several sources said, is Carlos Baleba. Another figure United have tracked for some time, Baleba can be the perfect partner for Mainoo, one with a penchant to venture forward with the ball.
The 22-year-old would cost significantly less than other options. A stop-start season this term means the fee could come down considerably from when United made an enquiry to Brighton last summer.
Who makes way?
Manuel Ugarte
Manuel Ugarte’s arrival has not worked out. Sources in Paris questioned why United were willing to pay £50m for a midfielder who was well down the pecking order at Paris Saint-Germain when he was brought in, in part due to his difficulties on the ball.
United intend to cut their losses and want to sell this summer before his value deteriorates, sources told The i Paper. Galatasaray are among the leading candidates.
Marcus Rashford
Barcelona are keen to sign Marcus Rashford permanently (Photo: Getty)It is becoming rather tedious to see “updates” on Marcus Rashford’s future when there have been no developments since United’s insistence that Barcelona pay the £26m option to buy included in his loan deal, and the Catalan giants’ reluctance to do so.
The i Paper understands that the player, coach Hansi Flick and most of the Barcelona hierarchy want Rashford to stay on permanently. Funds just remain the issue, as is often the case at modern-day Barcelona. Rashford is understood to be relaxed, with a World Cup to focus on.
The club want to offload the homegrown talent. Even getting his wages off the books would save £17m a year. Other clubs across Europe and in England are monitoring the situation. Another loan move is not being ruled out at this stage, too.
Andre Onana
One who has not given up hope of resurrecting his United career is Andre Onana, but those dreams seem somewhat forlorn.
Two Turkish clubs, Trabzonspor and Besiktas, are interested. How much they would be willing to pay is unclear at this stage.
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Joshua Zirkzee
The i Paper has been told that, having previously expressed a desire to leave at being kept on the periphery, popular dressing-room figure Zirkzee is now not agitating for a move.
However, he is one of the few United can part ways with and still command a decent fee. His reputation in Italy still persists, with Roma one of his admirers.
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