- Manchester United now eyeing Amadou Onana
- Aston Villa midfielder is a long-term target
- INEOS drawing up midfield wishlist
Behind the scenes, Manchester United are preparing a major overhaul of their midfield. Significant departures are anticipated, with Casemiro set to leave on a free transfer and Manuel Ugarte expected to follow him out the door.
Juventus are closely monitoring Ugarte’s situation, and United value the Uruguayan at around £35 million. Concrete discussions could begin as early as May or June.
That leaves the Red Devils needing to rebuild their engine room from scratch. The sporting directors are clearly targeting two major signings in this area. Amidst this upheaval, Kobbie Mainoo is on the verge of extending his contract and is considered a cornerstone of the long-term project.
Sky Sport Belgium’s Sacha Tavolieri reports that Aston Villa’s Amadou Onana is emerging as a possible midfield target. He could be an interesting option, although he shouldn’t be a priority.
United’s midfield shortlist takes shape
Among the alternatives being considered, two names stand out. Elliot Anderson of Nottingham Forest remains a top target, though Forest are demanding a colossal sum of between £100 and £120 million. Manchester City are thought to be frontrunners to sign the Englishman.
Another name is Carlos Baleba at Brighton. The Cameroon midfielder was heavily linked with United last summer, but the Red Devils were put off by Brighton’s quoted fee of over £100 million. Now Brighton are reportedly ready to lower that asking price, with Baleba’s form not quite matching his superb 2024-25 season.
There is also Mateus Fernandes at West Ham, admired by Bruno Fernandes and Manchester City’s sporting director, Hugo Viana. But the player who should not be forgotten is Amadou Onana.
Amadou Will do?
If United bring in two midfielders this summer, the obvious priorities are a controller like Anderson or Wharton and a ball-winner like Baleba. But with Casemiro and Ugarte both leaving, the squad will need more than just two new faces. That is where Onana comes in as an ideal third signing.
The Belgian midfielder could leave Aston Villa for a significant fee. Ironically, he turned down Manchester United in 2024 when he left Everton. At the time, United had other priorities. Now the situation has changed.
Onana is a powerful, athletic presence who can break up play and carry the ball forward. He is still only 24 and already proven in the Premier League. Unlike a raw prospect, he would arrive ready to compete for minutes immediately.
A realistic summer plan would see United spend big on Elliot Anderson (or Adam Wharton) and Carlos Baleba as the two main recruits. Those two would cost well over £150 million combined.
Adding Onana would require a separate budget. It can perhaps be funded by Ugarte’s sale and other departures. But if the club can manage it, a midfield trio of Mainoo, Anderson and Baleba, with Onana providing depth and physicality, would transform United’s spine.
