Man Utd agree personal terms to sign £65m star

Thanks to Casemiro’s early announcement, Manchester United had plenty of planning time to get their midfield business right.

While their dream target, Elliot Anderson, looks to be off the table as their city rivals close in on a move, they have moved swiftly to conclude a deal for Brazilian midfielder, Ederson.

While a move is yet to be officially announced by the club, everything suggests that a switch is on the verge of being completed once he returns from the World Cup.

But, what’s next for the Red Devils? Well, a marquee addition in the centre of the park would go down a treat as far as the fans are concerned. They are crying out for a big-money signing in that area of the pitch.

Man United close in on big addition

Man United’s midfield shortlist is considerably long. It’s not much of a shortlist if we’re being totally honest.

While Anderson was the one they wanted, they have quickly come round to the realisation that it is very unlikely he will come to Old Trafford.

Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali is one option while they are reportedly keeping an eye on Aurelien Tchouameni’s situation at Real Madrid too.

However, the leading target right now would appear to be West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. Reports over recent weeks have suggested that United are really keen on signing the player.

He wants the move and talks with the player’s camp regarding a transfer have been ongoing.

The latest on their pursuit of the player comes courtesy of Football Insider who reveal that after those discussions with the player’s entourage, they are now closing in on a move to sign the Portuguese.

It is alleged that a full agreement on personal terms has been reached with progress towards a transfer being made.

United are hoping to agree a fee of around £65m plus add-ons to take the player up north but West Ham are seeking around £15m more.

Why Fernandes could be Man United’s new Pogba

If you could insert Paul Pogba into the current Manchester United midfield it would be quite the sight. The idea of him and Bruno Fernandes in the same side is simply mouthwatering.

While Fernandes is going to go down as a United legend, particularly after breaking the Premier League assist record last term, Pogba is still held in high regard. He is firmly a fan favourite around these parts.

Combining flair with aggression, physicality and technical elegance, the great Frenchman ultimately left United behind having played 233 times for the club, registering 87 goal involvements.

While Mateus Fernandes may be a little different, there are plenty of similarities here. In the West Ham man, they could finally replace some of the World Cup winner’s finest qualities.

Fernandes does not possess the same sort of flair or give off the same aura on the pitch but he is exceptional on a technical level and he’s got some physical attributes to match Pogba.

One of the France international’s best qualities was his ability to carry the ball. He made as many as 2.02 successful dribbles per 90 back in the 2019/20 season. While Fernandes did not manage quite as many in 2025/26, producing 0.83, he is one of the best ‘ground eaters’ in the Premier League.

Indeed, according to the data, the two best ground eaters in the Premier League during 2025/26 were a certain Rice and Fernandes. No two midfielders had a higher ratio of progressive carry distance to turnover per carry.

One of Pogba’s best qualities was the way in which he could shield possession and evade the press, attributes that align with the best of Fernandes. Both players are strong runners too. In fact, the latter was one of the best in that regard last term.

The 21-year-old also looks phenomenal in possession, much like Pogba, while he also break up play like the former United midfielder.

When comparing the West Ham youngster to fellow U21 midfielders in Europe’s top seven leagues, he ranked first for possession won, defensive duels won and interceptions while sitting second for progressive passes completed.

Progressive, strong in duels and technically elegant, he is very much cut from a similar cloth to Pogba. The biggest different is the ego. Fernandes does not have that. Instead, he let’s his football do the talking.