Manchester United's decision to pull out of an £85 million deal for Mateus Fernandes has been vindicated, as the club is now set to sign Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos for a combined fee of approximately £85 million. The criticism that followed United's withdrawal from the Fernandes negotiations has been effectively debunked by the subsequent acquisitions.
Fernandes Deal Scrapped
United opted against committing the full £85 million fee upfront to West Ham, along with wages of around £250,000 per week, deeming it not the best use of their resources. This came after missing out on Elliot Anderson, leading to significant criticism and concerns over their transfer window strategy. By the end of June, their top two midfield targets had moved elsewhere.
New Midfield Signings
Those worries have now been alleviated. Andrey Santos has signed a five-year deal after joining from Chelsea for £50 million, while Youri Tielemans is in advanced talks to join from Aston Villa for £35 million. The combined outlay mirrors the sum that would have been spent on Fernandes alone.
Fernandes, 21, has only one cap for Portugal and has been relegated with Southampton and West Ham in successive seasons. Tottenham have taken a gamble on his potential, but he is not yet a proven difference-maker. Santos, 22, arrives at a lower cost despite limited appearances at Chelsea, where he was behind Moises Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez. He has six caps for Brazil and fits United's profile of a high-technical, high-energy midfielder.
Tielemans Brings Experience
Tielemans, 29, is a proven Premier League performer and a ready-made starter. He captained Belgium at the World Cup, leading them to the quarter-finals before withdrawing due to injury. His experience replaces that of Casemiro, and he can play both as a No.6 and No.8, forming a strong partnership with Kobbie Mainoo. Tielemans has won the FA Cup with Leicester City and the Europa League with Aston Villa, scoring in both finals, and a move to United adds a top-tier club to his CV.
Efficient Transfer Business
United's ability to complete deals for Santos and Tielemans with minimal fanfare demonstrates a newfound decisiveness in the transfer market. After setbacks with Anderson and Fernandes, the club has shown patience and efficiency. The result is a stronger midfield for the same investment, justifying their initial decision to walk away from the Fernandes deal.
