Manchester United will not bow to pressure to overpay in the summer transfer window, chief executive Omar Berrada has insisted, as the club prepares for the arrival of Brazilian midfielder Ederson in a £35m deal from Atalanta.
“We have to be really prepared, you have to have a clear plan, you have to know what positions you want to strengthen,” Berrada said on United’s Inside Carrington podcast. “We will not overpay.”
“Manchester United will not overpay in transfers, says CEO Omar Berrada, after a data-driven summer helped them finish third.”
The stance is a deliberate shift from an era when United spent vast sums on transfer fees and wages for Casemiro, Antony, Jadon Sancho and Donny van de Beek – deals that left the club emerging from financial constraints. Last summer, by contrast, the club leaned heavily on data to move quickly for Matheus Cunha from Wolves and Bryan Mbeumo from Brentford early in the window, before signing striker Benjamin Sesko and goalkeeper Senne Lammens later. All four impressed as United finished third in the Premier League and qualified for the Champions League for the first time in three years.
“The template for what we did last summer will be replicated,” Berrada said. “We want a mix of experience and youth. A mix of players who have demonstrated they can perform in the Premier League and players that are doing very well outside the Premier League.”
United have already agreed a £35m fee for Ederson, 26, who will have his medical shortly before pre-season training. The club are still looking to bring in at least one, and potentially two, more central midfielders – and hold a strong interest in West Ham’s £80m-rated Mateus Fernandes. They also want striker back-up for Sesko and a left-sided player, potentially to compete with Luke Shaw at full-back, given Patrick Dorgu is viewed as more of an attacking player by head coach Michael Carrick.
Director of football Jason Wilcox, director of recruitment Christopher Vivell and director of negotiations Matt Hargreaves, plus Berrada, will lead the window. Club sources have stressed they will not overpay, which is why they would back away from paying more than they deem fair.
“Whatever decisions we take will not just be for the short term but the long term,” Berrada said.