United face eye-watering fee to beat rivals to brilliant German playmaker with De Bruyne touch – report

This is the summer transfer window when Manchester United hope to reshape their engine room. Casemiro is leaving upon the expiry of his contract, and there is a growing urge to upgrade on Manuel Ugarte, who has flopped at the club. Replacing the duo and assembling a stronger engine room has left Ineos with little choice but to pursue at least three central midfield signings. A deal for Atalanta’s Ederson on an initial £35 million with £3.8 million in add-ons has been agreed. With only the medical to be conducted, the Samba star is set to be unveiled imminently. Two other midfielders are expected to follow him through the door, though it remains uncertain who those two will be. Some reports point to Mateus Fernandes and Alex Scott; others suggest it could be Aurelien Tchouameni or German World Cup 2026 standout Felix Nmecha. Now, if it is Nmecha, United have now been told what it would take to land the German. Felix Nmecha, a manager’s dream Nmecha is one of the finest midfielders European football has to offer. The 25-year-old, who FTS claimed can be Kevin De Bruyne 2.0, is every manager’s dream, as Nuri Sahin, who coached him at Signal Iduna Park, best put it: “Felix has an exceptional profile. He can play at number six, but can also play at number eight and ten. As a coach, you want players like that.” Such versatility would certainly revolutionise this United midfield. Real Madrid transfer rivalry Earlier today, a report relayed by The Peoples Person revealed that Real Madrid are set to battle the Red Devils for the Borussia Dortmund star. Bild, while teasing the transfer battle that could erupt for the 25-year-old, has also dropped an interesting update on a potential Dortmund exit. How much for Nmecha? The German outlet suggests that anyone wanting the ex-Manchester City star would have to fork out as much as €120 million (£103.7 million). With Nmecha’s €70 million release clause not active until 2027, it remains to be seen whether United or another suitor will lodge that ambitious bid. £100m better spent elsewhere If INEOS are to splash £100 million-plus on a midfielder, however, they would be better served directing that spend towards a tried-and-tested Premier League star, someone like Sandro Tonali or Elliot Anderson. Featured image Christof Koepsel via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Daniel Onguko Dan is a writer with The Peoples Person, an avid Manchester United fan whose passion for the Red Devils evolved into writing about them. He was introduced to United back in 2008, and his love for the club has continued to grow ever since. Like every other United fan, he believes the club will soon return to its rightful place and strives to reflect that belief in his writing. While he has also written about other Premier League sides, including Arsenal for Just Arsenal and The Arsenal Analysis Blogspot, Dan lives and breathes Manchester United.