Manchester United are considering a move to hijack Atletico Madrid's bid to sign Atalanta star Ederson this summer, according to TEAMtalk.
The Red Devils are keen to sign Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest as their top target, while the club have also been linked with a move for a number of other Premier League stars including Adam Wharton, Carlos Baleba, Sandro Tonali, and Bruno Guimaraes.
But with a midfield rebuild understood to be the top priority for the summer window, United chiefs are extending their reach to potential options across Europe, which has brought them back to a long-standing target who could be on the move.
Man Utd Consider Ederson Hijack
Atalanta midfielder Ederson celebrates scoring a goal
Ederson, who has been described as 'out of this world', is expected to leave Serie A side Atalanta this summer as he enters the final 12 months of his contract, with no renewal in sight.
The Brazilian has been strongly linked with a move to Old Trafford in the past, but Atalanta have previously valued the central midfielder at a fee of as high as £70m, which stopped any moves from progressing. But that value has now dropped down to around £44m, and an exit is expected.
Reports emerged recently that La Liga outfit Atletico Madrid are currently leading the race for his signature, having agreed personal terms with the 26-year-old.
But now Man Utd are considering re-entering the race to get a deal done to bolster their midfield, with Atletico preparing their own opening offer which is expected to be well below the £44m valuation in Bergamo.
United remain 'strongly interested' and there are 'sirens' that the Red Devils could intervene in the race to scupper Atletico's move for the player, with Ederson being open to a move to both Spain and the Premier League.
Ederson Move Would Be Cheap Alternative
Ederson in action for Atalanta
While Man Utd have made it clear that they have money to spend this summer with the club on the brink of qualifying for the Champions League, they don't want to overspend, and have other positions they want to strengthen too.
Anderson is expected to be a big-money move if he arrives, while any of the other aforementioned Premier League midfielder signings would likely be expensive if they were brought in as an alternative.
But Ederson would represent a cheaper value option with experience of having played in the Champions League and at the highest level, and could be a shrewd bit of business.
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