Man Utd flying out to sign “the best DM in the world”

Manchester United have been through the peaks and valleys of football in the 13 years since Sir Alex Ferguson retired, and while Premier League and Champions League titles remain elusive, there’s no denying the progress made under Michael Carrick‘s wing.

Typically, United would falter now, two steps back after one giant leap forward. But things feel different, though fans are growing concerned as efforts in the transfer market trundle along at a slow pace.

United need a variety of profiles, but it’s clear at the moment that strengthening the Red Devils midfield is taking precedence. Ederson is on his way, medical pending, but Casemiro’s departure calls for even more.

Luckily, Jason Wilcox is on the case, his sights set on one of the very best in the business.

Man Utd flying out to sign world-class midfielder

Let’s hope that Man United’s much-anticipated move for Ederson goes through. These are crucial days for the £38m transfer, which has not been finalised as the 26-year-old prepares to complete a second medical.

United need not one midfielder but two this summer, and having missed out on Mateus Fernandes, who has joined Tottenham Hotspur for £85m, INEOS have swivelled their attention to Chelsea’s £50m-rated prospect Andrey Santos.

Santos is an exciting talent, intense and rounded. He has something of Elliot Anderson’s style about him, but the new Manchester City man is also off the cards at Old Trafford.

Perhaps Man United should aim even higher and push to sign Aurelien Tchouameni from Real Madrid. According to Spanish journalist Jose Felix Diaz, INEOS officials are set to fly out to Spain to discuss whether the France international could be signed this summer.

Tchouameni, 26, is reportedly at risk of losing his place at the Santiago Bernabeu, and United are willing to offer him a route toward the Premier League, making him their star man at No. 6.

It’s hardly going to be straightforward. Chelsea and Liverpool have also been credited with an interest, and Los Blancos would demand at least £70m for his sale.

Why Tchouameni would be a far better signing than Santos

Tchouameni, quite simply, is the cream of the crop, and while Santos represents progression and potential for the Manchester United persuasion, they would land a ready-made superstar with this one.

Starring for Les Bleus at the World Cup, Tchouameni could be glue which brings it all together for Carrick’s side, who need to consolidate their position in the Champions League while challenging for silverware too.

Regarded as “the best defensive midfielder in the world” by former teammate Chema Andres, Tchouameni has nothing left to prove in Spain, and he could instead reinvent himself in an uber-competitive Premier League for a United side who are resolved to climbing back to the top.

Santos has the makings of an elite midfielder, but he is not there yet. There is a sense at the United planning table that the Brazilian struggled at times throughout the 2025/26 season, not always imposing his skillset on games in the Premier League.

With that in mind, it might be worth signing someone such as Tchouameni. Replacing a figure of Casemiro’s magnitude is no joke, and he could have the tools to do it.

A change of scenery might be exactly what Tchouameni needs at this stage of his career. Old Trafford, a ground in transition, could provide him with that clean slate – and he would add a dimension which could prove the difference in challenging for the biggest prizes on show.