Man Utd can hand the next manager £200m dream midfield as Cole Pamer call made

View 3 Images

Manchester United's announcement that Casemiro will leave Old Trafford at the end of the season is a clear sign the club are planning ahead for the summer transfer window. It emerged this week that the Brazilian veteran, 33, will depart this summer when his contract expires after four seasons with the club.

United decided not to extend the five-time Champions League winner's enormous £350,000-a-week deal, having signed him in August 2022 during Erik ten Hag's tenure. Casemiro has featured in 146 matches and scored 21 goals for United thus far, with Michael Carrick's eventual managerial successor set to lose an experienced voice in the dressing room.

However, his exit will provide an opportunity for a much-needed midfield rebuild given the space it frees up on United’s wage bill. United bosses were reported to be targeting midfield acquisitions this summer even prior to Casemiro's announcement.

At the heart of midfield, there are two contenders to take over from Casemiro in Wharton, 21, and Baleba, 22. Brighton's Baleba was a well-documented target for United last summer. The club examined the terms of a potential deal but the transfer never came to fruition.

Another prime target is Crystal Palace's Wharton, who could become the latest player to look to depart the south London outfit, with the club aware of the England international's ambition to compete in the Champions League.

With Wharton valued at over £60m and more than £100m needed to persuade Brighton to part with Baleba , the former seems the more shrewd option, particularly given Baleba's underwhelming campaign so far. The physically dominant Cameroonian would represent more of a direct replacement for Casemiro but Wharton's Carrick-esque presence in midfield would signal an evolution in the role for United.

The matter of who would play alongside Wharton is more complex given United already have academy product Kobbie Mainoo. Yet, there is one exceptional player whose displays this season indicate the club must secure him at any cost - Nottingham Forest's Anderson.

View 3 Images

Forest have no intention of selling the England international, 23, and competition from Premier League rivals would certainly drive up Anderson’s price, which is being reported as around £75m-£100m. But the all-action midfielder would be worth every penny as a statement signing and one who would instantly elevate the side.

Should that move collapse, however, Wolves' Gomes - priced at £35m-45m - would represent a solid alternative. The Reds have been monitoring the Wolves talent since the summer as they look to bolster their midfield.

That leaves the attacking-midfield position left vacant by Fernandes’ hypothetical exit. Matheus Cunha would be the favourite out of the current crop to take on the role as chief creator, though Chelsea’s Cole Palmer has recently been named as an ambitious potential signing.

View 3 Images

United supporter and former Manchester City player Palmer has established himself as one of the Premier League's finest players since his Chelsea move in 2023 but reports the playmaker is 'homesick' in London and might pursue a move closer to his home - Manchester.

That certainly works in United's favour, with Palmer's wages also not thought to be a problem. However, the 23-year-old could cost a Premier League record fee close to the £150m mark, making his signing unrealistic.

Instead, Cunha would likely step into Fernandes’ shoes in the case of his departure, with United able to sign Gomes from Wolves as a third midfield reinforcement. That could leave United’s midfield looking like this at the start of the 2026/27 season:

Starters: Adam Wharton, Elliot Anderson, Matheus Cunha.

Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.