Manchester United have agreed a £35m (€40.5m) deal with Atalanta for Brazil midfielder Ederson, signalling their intent for a busy summer as Michael Carrick prepares to make the 26-year-old his first signing.
Ederson is still to undergo a medical, with sources indicating the transfer should be completed in early July before United return for pre-season training. The move comes after veteran Brazilian Casemiro left the club and Carrick lost faith in Uruguay's Manuel Ugarte – a £50m buy from PSG in 2024 – dropping him entirely after the home defeat by Leeds in April. It would be a major shock if Ugarte remains at Old Trafford beyond the 1 September transfer deadline.
“Man Utd agree £35m deal for Atalanta's Ederson as Carrick's first signing, signalling midfield rebuild.”
If Ugarte departs and Ederson arrives, United would be left without experience in the deeper midfield positions, with Kobbie Mainoo, Mason Mount and Bruno Fernandes usually deployed further forward. That is why United could end up with two, possibly three, additions in that area alone. Academy prospects Tyler Fletcher, part of Scotland's World Cup squad, and Jacob Devaney, who impressed on loan at St Mirren, offer potential internal reinforcement.
Ederson, capped three times by Brazil, was named in the 55-man expanded World Cup squad but missed manager Carlo Ancelotti's final cut. He has proven adaptable across central midfield roles for Atalanta, scoring 16 goals in 180 appearances in all competitions.
United are also keen on West Ham's Mateus Fernandes, though no formal offer has been made. Sources at the relegated London club doubt United would meet the kind of fee they would demand – £80m has been mentioned, viewed as justified profit on a player who cost over £40m from Southampton last summer.
The club covet England's Elliot Anderson, though the Nottingham Forest midfielder prefers a move to Manchester City, and were interested in Brighton's Carlos Baleba last summer.
Beyond midfield, United are looking to add a left-sided player – with Newcastle's Lewis Hall on their radar – and striking support for Benjamin Sesko. The precise makeup of the goalkeeping department is still to be decided; Radek Vitek, 22, who won all Bristol City's player of the year awards during a superb loan, could be involved.
With the window still open, United's midfield rebuild will define their summer – whether one signing suffices or more are needed remains the open question.