Manchester United can now decide who their top central midfield targets are going to be this summer. Champions League football is secured. The rebuild can begin.
Fabrizio Romano has dropped the latest. Elliot Anderson, Sandro Tonali, Carlos Baleba, Adam Wharton, all on the list. But there’s also a Brazilian star from Atalanta who could be a cheaper alternative.
Ederson. Remember the name.
CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SECURED, NOW FOR THE SQUAD
United beat Liverpool 3-2 on Sunday to guarantee their Champions League spot with three games to spare. Aston Villa lost at home to Tottenham. The Reds are fourth. United are now in a great position to finish third.
Remarkable, really. This is the same club that finished 15th last season and lost the Europa League final to Spurs.
Caretaker boss Michael Carrick has worked miracles. No European football to distract them? They’ve used it to their advantage.
Now attentions turn to the summer. How do they build a squad capable of competing on two fronts?
‘PLENTY OF NAMES’ ROMANO RUNS THROUGH THE LIST
Speaking on the Here We Go podcast, Romano broke it down.
“Man United also like Sandro Tonali, he’s another name they have on the shortlist,” he said.
“Ederson from Atalanta could be a backup option in the list of Manchester United, available for €40/45million. So there is plenty of names, but Man United will very soon decide.
“And again, don’t forget Carlos Baleba, who has been on the list of Man United since summer 2025, and I think could still be an interesting name to follow for this transfer window.”
THE PREMIER LEAGUE TAX PROBLEM
Targeting Premier League midfielders is all well and good. The issue? Price tags.
Some claim Nottingham Forest value Elliot Anderson at around £120m. Baleba has previously been given a £100m price tag. Wharton and Tonali? Slightly below £100m, but still enormous.
Are United really willing to pay that? Can they negotiate those fees down?
If the answer is no, Ederson becomes very interesting. €40/45m. That’s a fraction of the cost.
‘THE STRONGEST DM IN THE WORLD’?
Ederson doesn’t have Premier League experience. But he’s been a consistent performer for Atalanta. Some have described him as the ‘strongest DM in the world’.
That’s bold. But he’s certainly good enough to replace Casemiro.
The Brazilian veteran has been immense in recent months. But he’s leaving in June. United need to get his successor right.
Ederson has also been linked with Atletico Madrid. Arsenal are interested too. So United aren’t alone in this chase.
THE BOTTOM LINE
United have a decision to make. Spend big on Premier League proven or take a punt on Ederson for a fraction of the price.
Anderson. Tonali. Baleba. Wharton. Ederson.
Four domestic targets. One Brazilian wildcard.
Romano says United will decide very soon. The clock is ticking. And Casemiro’s replacement needs to be the right one. No pressure.
