As Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo can attest to, even a dreadful Premier League campaign has not affected Manchester United’s almost unrivalled pulling power in the transfer market.
Arsenal and Aston Villa held ‘exploratory talks’ to bring in the aforementioned Brazil international from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Matheus Cunha could not resist joining Bruno Fernandes and co at Old Trafford, however, seizing the chance to play for a club he has adored since childhood once Manchester United triggered the £62.5 million release clause in his contract.
Bryan Mbeumo rejected Tottenham for United, meanwhile, as talks with Brentford continue at an advanced pace.
The Red Devils are yet to agree upon an upfront fee as things stand. That is expected to change imminently, however. Fabrizio Romano reports that ‘active talks’ are ongoing, while Mbeumo has a medical scheduled for next week at Carrington.
So, as Manchester United turn to Marco Carnesecchi in their pursuit of a new goalkeeper, the feeling over in Italy is that even a Red Devils side at their lowest ebb is still an opportunity too good to miss out on.
Marco Carnesecchi of Atalanta BC celebrates the victory at
Photo by Fabrizio Carabelli/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images
Marco Carnesecchi urged to leave Atalanta for Manchester United
The reliable Gianluca di Marzio reported last week that Man United have chosen Atalanta keeper Carnesecchi as their preferred option to challenge Andre Onana next season.
The former Italy Under-21 international would not break the bank like Porto’s Diogo Costa, for instance. And, a decade younger than Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez, a 24-year-old Carnesecchi may be willing to accept the challenge of battling with Onana rather than arriving at Old Trafford to be immediately installed as their go-to number one.
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“How can you say no to United?,” former Fiorentina and Milan midfielder Massimo Orlando tells Tuttomercatoweb in response to those Carnesecchi claims.
“Every year, those who go there suffer, it’s true. But it’s also true that [enduring a season] worse than this year’s is not possible.”
The addition of two proven Premier League forwards in Cunha and Mbeumo means Man United look certain to improve upon that disastrous 15th place finish.
If a lack of ruthlessness at one end was a massive problem for Ruben Amorim’s side in 2024/25, the individual errors of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir at the other also fired many a shotgun shell into Red Devils’ feet.
Former Serie A goalkeeper Simone Braglia wants Carnesecchi at Old Trafford
“For the player, it is an important opportunity to seize,” agrees Paolo De Paola, the Italian reporter also speaking to TMW. “[Carnesecchi can] go to the Premier and must seize the opportunity.
“Then, we will see what Atalanta will do.”
“If I were him, I wouldn’t hesitate,” Simone Braglia, a goalkeeper himself in his own playing days, adds. “He would go to a more prestigious club and a much better league.”
A Europa League winner in 2024, Carnesecchi played 44 games last season as Atalanta finished third in Serie A and secured a spot in the Champions League.
Far better with his hands than he is with his feet as legendary former La Dea boss Gian Piero Gasperini pointed out when highlighting his capacity for ‘extraordinary saves’, Carnesecchi would represent a return to a more traditional brand of goalkeeping after two error-strewn seasons from Andre Onana at Old Trafford.
Sport Italia claim that Man United enquired about midfielder Ederson in talks with Atalanta a few days ago, while detailing their intention to offer £34 million for Carnesecchi.
Atalanta are expected to hold out for a minimum of £38 million. A gap, yes. But, like with Bryan Mbeumo, one that certainly feels bridgeable.