Tusport - News - Man United near £116m double swoop for Ederson, Fernandes

Manchester United are accelerating plans for a transformative midfield rebuild, with sources in England and Italy indicating the club are closing in on a £116m double signing centred on Atalanta’s Ederson and a move for Fernandes. The first deal is described as “done” by some close to negotiations, while parallel talks continue as United look to give Erik ten Hag a more robust, dynamic spine. The push follows reporting from The Guardian’s Jacob Steinberg, who outlined why Old Trafford has emerged as the likeliest Premier League destination for Fernandes should he remain in England. Steinberg highlighted two recruitment ties now embedded at United: Kyle Macaulay, previously involved at West Ham where he helped bring Fernandes to the London Stadium last summer, and Jason Wilcox, whose Southampton background connects to Fernandes’ earlier spell on the south coast. Those off-pitch links have helped streamline dialogue and accelerate due diligence as United target midfielders who can switch tempo, press with intensity, and carry the ball through the thirds. Gianluca Di Marzio recently claimed United were also pushing for a double capture of Ederson and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali, but the current expectation in several quarters is that Ederson and Fernandes are the more advanced tracks. Ederson, 24, has been one of Serie A’s standout all-action midfielders, mixing ball-winning with forward thrust under Gian Piero Gasperini. His versatility—equally comfortable as a No 8 in a pressing unit or sitting deeper to screen—fits the club’s drive to add athleticism and tactical flexibility. Fernandes, meanwhile, is viewed as a plug-and-play option with Premier League know-how, positional discipline, and pressing nous. He offers tactical balance next to a ball-progressing partner, and his ability to operate between the lines or drop into a double pivot is seen as a major asset for games where United need control against compact blocks. United’s recruitment reset under sporting leadership seeks both immediate impact and profile coherence. The club are prioritising durable players with adaptability across multiple systems—qualities that Ederson and Fernandes have shown consistently. While the headline figure of £116m raises eyebrows, United consider the combined outlay a hedge against years of churn in the middle of the park. Structuring remains a key talking point. United are exploring staged payments and performance-related add-ons to align with profitability and sustainability rules, which could also dictate the pace of outgoing moves. Interest remains in Tonali, yet his situation at Newcastle and the complexities around valuation mean that path is currently less straightforward. For now, United are locked on an Ederson–Fernandes axis designed to raise the team’s floor and ceiling alike. If finalised as anticipated, the double addition would reshape United’s midfield options ahead of the new season, with the aim of restoring control in big fixtures and improving consistency week to week in the Premier League and Europe.