{"id":252654,"date":"2026-07-12T19:45:13","date_gmt":"2026-07-12T19:45:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/12\/better-fit-than-santos-man-utd-enter-talks-to-sign-40m-midfielder\/"},"modified":"2026-07-12T19:45:13","modified_gmt":"2026-07-12T19:45:13","slug":"better-fit-than-santos-man-utd-enter-talks-to-sign-40m-midfielder","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/12\/better-fit-than-santos-man-utd-enter-talks-to-sign-40m-midfielder\/","title":{"rendered":"Better fit than Santos: Man Utd enter talks to sign \u00a340m midfielder"},"content":{"rendered":"

<\/p>\n

\n

Throughout the summer transfer window, Manchester United<\/a>\u2019s main task has been there for all to see – complete an overhaul of the central midfield department.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

Casemiro\u2019s departure only increased the need for added reinforcements, and it appeared INEOS had found their perfect replacement for the Brazilian international.<\/p>\n

A deal to sign Ederson<\/a> from Serie A outfit Atalanta looked almost certain a couple of weeks ago, after a fee of around \u00a340m was agreed<\/a> between the two parties.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Personal terms had also been reached, but a deal now appears to be dead and buried – with concerns over the player\u2019s fitness having arisen following the latest stage of his medical.<\/p>\n

Now, the hierarchy are once again on the look out for added reinforcements to try and hand Michael Carrick<\/a> the quality he needs to succeed at Old Trafford.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Who Man Utd could sign after Ederson\u2019s collapse<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

Missing out on Ederson will be a bitter blow for United and Co, especially after having the groundwork for such a move in place over the last few weeks.<\/p>\n

However, a deal for Andrey Santos<\/a> has already been agreed in recent days<\/a>, with a \u00a350m fee to be paid by the Red Devils to lure the midfielder away from Chelsea.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"Andrey\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

The player himself has no issue on personal terms and is said to have already completed his medical ahead of his big-money transfer from Xabi Alonso\u2019s side.<\/p>\n

Roma star Manu Kone has emerged as one possible option for Carrick\u2019s men this summer after massively catching the eye for France during the ongoing World Cup.<\/p>\n

A potential offer has been lined up by the Red Devils<\/a> over the last couple of days, with the 25-year-old seen as a player who can fill the current void in Manchester.<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Manu Kone – World Cup stats for France<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

\n

Statistics (per 90)<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Tally<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Games played<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Minutes played<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

341<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Pass accuracy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

93%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chances created<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

0.8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Defensive contributions<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.9<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Tackles made<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

1.8<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Ball recoveries<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.4<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Aerials won<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

67%<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table><\/div>\n

His combative box-to-box nature ticks the box for what Carrick\u2019s side demand after Casemiro\u2019s departure – but it remains to be seen if the player himself wants to move to England this window.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\n Man Utd’s perfect \u00a340m solution<\/strong>
\n <\/h2>\n

After a deal was agreed for Santos earlier this week, many would expect United to wait before making a move for any other added midfield reinforcements.<\/p>\n

However, credit to INEOS, the hierarchy have been working tirelessly in recent days to try and put the failed deal for Ederson firmly in the rear-view mirror.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"atalanta-ederson-serie-a\"\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Numerous players, like Kone, have emerged on the club\u2019s radar, but Wolverhampton Wanderers star Jo\u00e3o Gomes<\/a> is another who appears to be of keen interest.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s been reported by TEAMtalk that United have made fresh approaches to the player\u2019s representatives after the West Midlands side suffered relegation last term.<\/p>\n

Like Ederson, his own move to Atletico Madrid has disintegrated, which has seen a potential switch to join the Red Devils for around \u00a340m become a distinct possibility.<\/p>\n

The 25-year-old may now be a Championship player, but that\u2019s not to say he\u2019s not a player who\u2019s capable of making the jump to a leading Premier League outfit.<\/p>\n

When comparing his stats to those of Santos from the 2025\/26 campaign, the Wolves star managed to better the soon-to-be \u00a350m man in countless key areas.<\/p>\n

\n
\n \"Wolverhampton\n <\/picture>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n

Gomes completed a staggering 1.4 successful dribbles per 90 last term – a tally nearly two times higher than that of Santos, who only managed to register 0.9 per 90.<\/p>\n

The aforementioned tally also placed the Wolves star in the top 2% of all midfielders in England\u2019s top-flight – subsequently highlighting his ability to get out of tight areas with the ball at his feet.<\/p>\n