Manchester United’s squad is taking final shape as the transfer window ticks to a close, with Manuel Ugarte expected to be the final piece of the puzzle.
However, Ineos have already shown that they are not just working for this transfer window, they are thinking streets ahead to set the squad up for the future.
It can been seen with the signings of highly-rated teenagers like Chido Obi-Martin or the recent capture of Sekou Kone.
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Those are more for the youth team, to be bedded into the senior setup in the coming years, but the team is already planning for future windows for the Manchester United first team as well!
Manchester United negotiating for Brazilian
There has been a growing recent trend of big clubs plucking players directly from Brazil instead of letting another mid-tier club take them and buying later for a huge price.
Real Madrid have become masters of this, with the likes of Vincius Jr, Rodrygo, and Endrick as three prime examples.
United are seemingly treading the same path now, but for the player who can contribute to the first team immediately.
TNT Brazil reports that United have started negotiations with the agents of Fluminense’s 23-year-old midfielder Andre.
There are no talks yet between the two clubs, and Wolverhampton Wanderers are also credited with an interest in a developing deal.
The tweet reads: “IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE’S SIGHTS!! Manchester United and Wolverhampton, from England, are interested in signing André!! There are negotiations between the athlete’s representative and the clubs. But there is still no offer on the table for Fluminense.”
However, United are laying the groundwork and after signing Ugarte to settle their business for this window, could go back for Andre in January or next summer when talks with the player would have already been sealed.
Future-proofing the club
Getting Ugarte would sort out the team’s biggest remaining pain point this window but the deal for Andre is proof of Ineos planning ahead.
Next summer, it is likely that United won’t have three of the midfielders currently in the squad- Scott McTominay, Christian Eriksen, and Casemiro.
It would leave just Kobbie Mainoo and Manuel Ugarte as the undisputed starters, while Mason Mount would be a utility option for the role.
Of course, much would also depend on the emergence of Toby Collyer a year from now but at just 23, Andre is already a Brazilian international.
He has previously been of interest to other clubs in the Premier League too, with the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea exploring a deal for him.
Andre’s natural position is at the base of midfield, a position United will need to strengthen next summer in the wake of expected departures and Andre’s ability to play as a No. 6 as well as No. 8 or as a centre-back means he would be an extremely astute addition.
Fluminense would likely not demand a humongous fee either, as his contract will have reached the final 12 months in the summer of 2025.
It is the sort of future-proofing that was completely absent at United under the previous regime and is a welcome sight now.
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