He’s way better than Ederson: INEOS ramp up move to sign £64m star for Man Utd

‘Saga’ will be a word Manchester United are keen to avoid heading into this summer, having so often been bogged down in protracted, public negotiations in recent years.

Back in 2022, for instance, Erik ten Hag and co spent much of the window unsuccessfully chasing a certain Frenkie de Jong, having only pivoted to Casemiro as an alternative with the Premier League season already underway.

Thankfully, this new regime might well be taking note, with all the signs pointing to INEOS drawing up a lengthy shortlist of midfield targets this time around, rather than lasering in on a sole, leading candidate.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson might well be the favoured pick, although with a £120m move to the Etihad seemingly on the cards, United appear to have multiple other alternatives under consideration.

Man Utd ramping up bid to sign £64m Ederson alternative

Casemiro’s looming exit has made the signing of a new midfielder an urgent priority, with the latest reports indicating that his compatriot, Ederson, could be a frontrunner to fill that void.

Reports earlier this week indicated that the Atalanta star has actually said yes to a £100k-per-week contract at United, provided that the Old Trafford side make an official, club-to-club approach.

Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas has suggested that reports of personal terms being agreed may be wide of the mark, although he did state that INEOS are stepping up their interest in the 26-year-old Brazilian.

The same is also true of West Ham United’s Mateus Fernandes, however, with the Portuguese playmaker said to have ‘impressed’ those watching on at Old Trafford this season.

Any deal is likely to be impacted by whether or not the Hammers are relegated in the next few weeks, as per the report, with the club’s future said to have a bearing on the 21-year-old’s potential price tag.

Prior reports have suggested that Fernandes could fetch around £64m, having joined from Southampton last summer on a £42m deal.

How Mateus Fernandes compares to Ederson this season

Fernandes, unfortunately, might well have had a vital say in West Ham’s future, having squandered a gilt-edged chance to hand his side the lead against title hopefuls Arsenal on Sunday afternoon.

The former Saints starlet could only fire his effort straight at the advancing David Raya, a moment that could have seismic repercussions at both ends of the table.

To suggest that has been the story of Fernandes’ season would be unfair, however, with the young midfielder part of the Irons’ shining triumvirate, alongside Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville.

Operating in a number eight role alongside Tomas Soucek, he has scored three goals and contributed three assists, having previously recorded a further six goal involvements for a relegated Southampton side last season.

Even against the Gunners, the £64m-rated talent was a delight to watch for the most part, racking up two key passes, successfully completing both of his attempted dribbles and winning eight of his 12 total duels – a force all across the park.

There was a notable, swept pass out to Aaron Wan-Bissaka at one stage which felt very Bruno Fernandes-esque, with the United skipper believed to have already given his backing to such a signing this summer.

There are so many strings to the younger Fernandes’ bow, hence why he would represent an upgrade on Ederson, with the latter man scoring just twice and registering just one assist in Serie A so far.

It is the South American’s off-the-ball work that is most notable, although even in that regard, Fernandes comes out on top, having averaged a stellar 3.9 tackles and interceptions per game this season, ahead of Ederson’s 2.8 average.

For comparison, the aforementioned Casemiro has averaged 3.6 for that same metric in 2025/26, ensuring Fernandes could potentially fill that void heading into next term.

He’s mobile and versatile, comfortable in a deeper role or as a number ten, with his recent Premier League experience also giving him the edge over Ederson if it is to be a choice between the pair.

At present, Fernandes ranks fifth in the division with regard to total tackles made, just behind Anderson in fourth, further evidence of just what a combative, dynamic midfielder he truly is.

Still only 21, this could be the perfect, long-term signing that United are need of.