He’s bad news for Amad: Man Utd in talks to sign £69m star alongside Ederson

Last weekend’s trip to Brighton marked a fine way for Manchester United to round off the campaign, as Michael Carrick‘s men swept the Seagulls aside with a convincing 3-0 win.

Bruno Fernandes notched his 21st Premier League assist of the season to kick things off, although it was United’s second goal of the day that had tongues wagging.

Lovely interplay between Mason Mount and Amad in the build-up was followed by a perfect pickout from the Ivorian to find Bryan Mbeumo at the backpost, the latter man netting his 11th league goal and third of the campaign against the south coast side.

For Amad, meanwhile, that delightful assist was a timely one after a difficult 2026 so far, the diminutive winger having not registered a single goal contribution this calendar year prior to that at club level.

There doesn’t appear to be any sense that the Red Devils are ready to cast the 23-year-old aside following such woes, although his game time could be under threat if a new signing rocks up at Old Trafford.

Man Utd open talks to sign £69m Brazilian alongside Ederson

There could well be a South American flavour to United’s transfer dealings this summer, with the club moving quickly to try and secure a deal for Atalanta star, Ederson.

While there has been no official confirmation as yet, the expectation is that the Brazilian will sign as a matter of when and not if, albeit with there no rush to pounce considering the 26-year-old isn’t part of Carlo Ancelotti’s World Cup squad.

As per reports in Spain too, Ederson could well be joined in Manchester by another Brazilian, amid the club’s interest in Porto starlet, William Gomes.

According to the report, United are among the clubs, alongside Arsenal, to have made initial enquiries regarding a deal for the 20-year-old, suggesting that talks have already been held.

The Portuguese outfit are keen to keep him for another season, although the presence of an €80m (£69m) release clause ensures that any deal could be out of their hands.

Why Gomes signing could prove bad news for Amad

It is the left flank that appears to be United’s priority heading into the summer, although Amad’s form may also have sparked the need for an upgrade on the opposite side.

With Mbeumo typically deployed as a centre-forward under Carrick, as he did again in Benjamin Sesko’s absence at the Amex, there is potentially a need to strengthen further off the right.

Amad, of course, enjoyed a sparkling 2024/25 campaign, reaching double figures for goals and assists in all competitions, but that came primarily while operating as a wing-back in Ruben Amorim’s 3-4-2-1 set-up.

Returning to what looked like a more natural advanced role hasn’t proven fruitful, unfortunately, with a signing like Gomes potentially set to oust him from his starting role under Carrick.

The Porto sensation may only be 20, but he enjoyed a real breakout season in 2025/26, having initially made the move to Portugal back in January last year.

He wasn’t afforded too many regular opportunities at former club Sao Paulo, making only 20 senior appearances, even with Brazilian clubs regularly throwing teen talents into the mix.

Even so, that doesn’t appear to have hampered his progress, with Gomes’ first 57 games at Porto yielding 14 goals and two assists thus far, having typically been deployed off the right flank.

This season, in particular, the lively left-footer went to a new level, scoring eight goals and registering one assist in Liga Portugal, scoring at a rate of one goal every 146 minutes, after actually only starting nine games.

Such a clinical, creative outlet, Gomes actually only missed one ‘big chance’ all season, while he also created six ‘big chances’, suggesting his assist tally should have been significantly bolstered.

Compare that to Amad’s Premier League season, and the difference is stark, with the former Atalanta man scoring just two goals and registering only three assists, despite starting 27 times.

He did actually better Gomes with regard to ‘big chances’ created (seven), although proved less efficient in front of goal, with his two goals coming while having missed six ‘big chances’.

While 2024/25 was only Amad’s first real sustained run in the first-team at Old Trafford, it has perhaps been overlooked that he isn’t exactly a young up-and-comer, set to turn 24 early next month.

He needs to be delivering more, with his current lack of end product a real concern heading into next season. Gomes, therefore, if signed, could be ready and waiting to take his place.