Man Utd in club-to-club talks to sign £50m star

There might be those already holding concerns over the impending signing of Ederson at Manchester United, yet judging the midfielder based on a mere ten-minute cameo for Brazil would be something of a mistake.

You wouldn’t sign a player based on World Cup performances alone, nor should one be written off either in that same token, with the 26-year-old also having only been a late call-up to Carlo Ancelotti’s squad.

Fears are growing that this could be a case of Manuel Ugarte mark two, yet there should be increased faith in the INEOS regime following what proved to be an improved year of business in 2025.

That being said, regardless of what occurred in Brazil’s 3-0 win over Haiti, United can’t head into next season with Ederson as the sole midfield arrival, with further work already underway in that regard.

Man Utd open talks to seal £50m midfield signing

All being well, Ederson will seal a £34m move to Old Trafford at the start of next month, likely to be the first arrival in a hectic summer for Michael Carrick’s side.

The leading midfield target after the South American remains that of Mateus Fernandes, although that pursuit has been complicated somewhat after Tottenham Hotspur joined the race for his signature.

There is also rival interest in the West Ham United man from Real Madrid too, with returning Los Blancos boss, Jose Mourinho, seemingly leading the pursuit of his compatriot.

Speaking of Madrid, reports in Spain – via journalist Miguel Serrano – have suggested that United have opened talks with the LaLiga side regarding a deal for Eduardo Camavinga.

INEOS are said to have asked about the Frenchman’s situation and the potential conditions of any deal, albeit with Juventus also lodging enquiries of their own.

The Spanish giants are no longer against the idea of selling the 23-year-old, having placed a €60m (£50m) price tag on his head.

Why Camavinga could be an instant upgrade on Ederson

As already stated, there shouldn’t be too much read into Ederson’s brief substitute display for his country, although he doesn’t appear to be jumping out as the perfect successor to Casemiro at Old Trafford.

He wasn’t even selected by Ancelotti initially, behind the ageing pair of Casemiro and Fabinho, a situation that might have alarm bells ringing back in Manchester.

Set to turn 27 next month too, Ederson wouldn’t exactly be a long-term signing for the future, with INEOS needing him to be an instant hit amid the dearth of midfield options at Carrick’s disposal.

His hopes of slotting permanently alongside Kobbie Mainoo could well be dashed if Camavinga follows him to the Theatre of Dreams, however, with the £50m-rated playmaker such an exciting, standout talent.

Tipped to become the “best midfielder in the world” by agent Jonathan Barnett during his time at Stade Rennais, it hasn’t necessarily been a smooth ride since then, as his omission from France’s own World Cup squad highlights.

That being said, at still only 23, there’s plenty of time for Camavinga to get back on track, with this a player who is something of a “monster” at his best, in the view of analyst Spencer Mossman.

It was a difficult season, both individually and collectively, for the left-footer at the Bernabeu, having been restricted to just 16 LaLiga starts, although there’s so much to like about what he offers both in and out of possession.

On the ball, he is a real midfield metronome, the type of player who can dictate proceedings. Indeed, his 92% pass accuracy rate last term comfortably eclipsed Ederson’s own 89% average in Serie A.

He lost the ball just 4.8 times per game, while he was only dribbed past himself 0.5 times per game, representing few clear weaknesses in that pivot role.

For comparison, Ederson squandered possession 7.8 times per game, while having been dribbled past 0.6 times per outing.

Camavinga also boasts the benefit of having already shone at a truly elite, historic club, while enjoying glittering success with two Champions League wins under his belt.

Equally too, the versatile talent – who can operate at left-back – is a more natural number six by trade, while Ederson is more of an all-action, box-to-box option, thus ensuring Camavinga may well better suit Mainoo if the Englishman is to be unleashed himself in a more advanced number eight berth.

Perhaps Ederson will surprise a few next season, but the true statement, marquee deal would be for that of the Madrid starlet.