The transfer market has gone crazy. Manchester United are trying to keep their heads.
The 2026 summer transfer window is a crucial one for Manchester United, but it is looking like a tricky market to navigate.
Manchester City set the market with a club record deal for Elliot Anderson in excess of £115 million.
Now Tottenham have agreed to spend in excess of £180 million on Sandro Tonali and Mateus Fernandes.
All three were players Manchester United would have liked. But not at those prices.
We can speculate over what United might do next, but that’s not the purpose of this article. Instead I want to focus on the one deal the club has actually agreed.
Which transfer targets do you NOT want Man Utd to sign?
Let's turn the transfer question on it's head, and give Jason Wilcox some advice…
Ederson incoming, the price is right
Manchester United have already agreed a deal to sign Ederson from Italian side Atalanta for a fee of £35 million.
The deal is pending final confirmation, only delayed because the midfielder was called up to the Brazil squad at the last minute.
Nobody is saying Ederson is Manchester United’s marquee signing, he is just part of the puzzle, however, he is a very efficiently-bought piece.
£35 million for Ederson looked like an astute price at the time. It looks even better value now.
United struck a deal for Ederson at that price because of his expiring contract. One year ago Ederson was valued in excess of £60 million by Atalanta.
If he was playing in the Premier League, you could add an extra £30 million onto that fee – because that’s what clubs are doing right now.
There is no way Sandro Tonali is worth £100 million. £70 million absolute max. Mateus Fernandes is a £60 million player at best.
Bournemouth are said to be looking for £80 million for Alex Scott, while Adam Wharton would command £100 million most likely.
Forget all these.
United have shopped in a market where there is value, and the Ederson transfer shouldn’t be forgotten about or dismissed.
The £35 million fee for Ederson will end up looking like great business if he can establish himself as a regular starter in the club’s midfield.
The expensive moves for Tonali and Fernandes only serve to highlight United’s bargain.
Who has been Man Utd’s BEST and WORST signing in the £31m-40m price range? How will Ederson compare?
Wait and see
We all want to see Manchester United doing business in the transfer market, and it is essential that more new midfielders come in.
I don’t believe there is reason for United to take a short-term view and panic buy in response to Tottenham’s activity.
The next few weeks are crucial, and if United don’t get business done, then I fear for the season ahead. But at this point, enjoy the summer and let the deals fall into place.
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