The summer market has morphed into a rather peculiar occasion for Manchester United following the somewhat surprising actions of North London’s perennial relegation candidates.
Spurs’ willingness to spend vast sums on guaranteed transfer fees and salaries led to the frustrating sight of Mateus Fernandes opting to remain down South.
Naturally, the ramifications of this, coupled with long-term target Elliot Anderson moving across the city, have opened the door for widespread concerns about a lack of a similar approach at Old Trafford.
Despite everything, the message resonating in the North West is a certainty about spending and delivering a window that will support Michael Carrick during the upcoming season and beyond.
For clarity, those are not my words, nor am I acting as an outlet for a regime that I, too, demand action from. Contrary to a rather uninformed view, I have been on the frontline with my friends against questionable ownership for decades.
But that does not mean I will stop reporting information accurately as I am able.
Truthfully, Fernandes’ decision caught me off guard, given the word from start to finish was that he wanted to join United. Still, we’re told that officials continue to work with several agencies to solidify midfield.
Ederson’s arrival is simply pending a final medical. At the same time, interest in Aurelien Tchouameni, Alex Scott, Carlos Baleba and Andrey Santos is all genuine and backed by months of analysis and data-driven material.
The fundamental question today is how much, if at all, Real Madrid, Bournemouth, and Chelsea would be willing to agree, and whether individual salary requests will present an unavoidable issue.
It goes without saying that a player of Tchouameni’s calibre doesn’t come along very often.
At 26, the French international is entering the peak years of his playing career, and is understandably keen on adding to his eight club medals already earned in Spain.
Uncertainty remains the prevailing feeling, though, with conflicting suggestions on United executives’ impending travel, which only adds to the lack of clarity in Madrid.
Either way, nothing is clear at the time of writing.
As I have previously confirmed, our Spanish sources have indicated that they would be ‘dumbfounded’ if Los Blancos authorised his departure, despite needing to sell before purchasing. Furthermore, he is extremely happy at Real.
But Florentino Perez is an enigma and capable of absolutely anything. If Omar Berrada and Jason Wilcox are willing to shatter their pre-agreed financial parameters for fees and wages, anything is possible.
Obviously, if the Reds could capture the midfielder at this stage of his journey, when Casemiro’s void needs to be filled, it would represent the coup of the summer. And if there’s a glimmer of a chance, any United supporter would welcome the move.
Scott’s situation at Bournemouth is an entirely different dynamic, given his age and possible desire to test himself on a grander stage.
I say this following The Athletic’s confirmation that the former Bristol City turned down the Cherries’ latest contractual offer to extend his stay beyond 2028.
At 22, he meets Ineos’ criteria as a homegrown option with a decade or more of playing time ahead of him.
As is now common knowledge, the Guernsey native retains numerous admirers in Manchester, with a shared understanding of his ability to hit the ground running and ample room for growth.
Comfortable in possession (78th percentile), confident in individual duels (67th percentile), and improving year-on-year with a dominant progressive carry (71st percentile), many feel that Scott would shine on the European stage.
Furthermore, as I regularly stated during the failed pursuit of Fernandes, his profile aligns with Kobbie Mainoo’s, complementing Bruno Fernandes’ majesty, and offering a yin-yang dynamic in midfield.
It’s easy to see why United are eager and keen to test Bournemouth’s resolve despite their desire not to part company this summer.
Statistics available via DataMB
Baleba is a player we have covered quite a bit over the last year, and the story has not changed. He wants to play for United, and personal terms have never been an issue.
A late approach last summer was met with requests for a three-figure fee, inevitably leading to the expected response.
Despite an indifferent season, the Cameroonian retains his admirers at M16, and our sources have long indicated his determination to join Carrick’s team.
Say what you will about his deviating style. Still, it is no mean feat to achieve a 85.9% win ratio from individual duels alongside an 87th percentile in possessions won for any Premier League player.
Nonetheless, Brighton remain bullish in receiving a mammoth fee, even though Baleba has made his intentions clear from the outset. That alone does not dampen a potential deal, but it does open the door for Santos.
Chelsea’s young Brazilian feels it is time to explore an alternative option, given his desire to grow into a leading number six for club and country.
As we revealed last week, the former Vasco starlet caught United’s eye several years ago, and his style supplies a similar defensive orientation to Baleba, while also harnessing a natural technical flair.
Some have viewed a potential move as underwhelming, given his inability to break the London lock of Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. I can’t help but feel this opinion is hugely flawed, though.
For me, Santos is the quintessential example of the deficiencies in Chelsea’s erratic purchasing. They have stockpiled so much talent that they have run out of space.
Their dilemma should not be viewed as a weak move. Instead, it should be seen as a golden opportunity to secure one of the game’s more talented young midfield operators.
What route would you go this summer, and who do you think is a realistic option for Manchester United?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments or across our social channels–photos by mrogowski_photography and NewsImages via depositphotos.com.
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