Manchester United have been handed a huge boost in signing one of their long-term midfield targets.
The Red Devils are planning to reinforce their midfield department in either January or next summer.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is the priority target, but he won’t be available until the season ends.
The club are open to purchasing two midfielders, and Atalanta star Ederson could re-emerge as an option.
United were hot on the trail of the Brazil international in the summer of 2024, but ended up signing Manuel Ugarte from Paris Saint-Germain. Atalanta were reluctant to sanction his sale.
Ederson’s agent Andre Cury has now revealed that the midfielder could leave on the cheap, with his contract expiring in June 2027. When asked to recommend a signing to Barcelona, he told Cadena SER:
“It’s an opportunity because his contract is expiring. Atalanta hasn’t wanted to sell him despite receiving very high offers. I think they’ll complete the transfer in this winter or summer window.
“A lot of money, between 60 and 75 million euros. He’s close to the end of his contract, they could even lower his price by half, to between 30 and 40 million, but he’s a spectacular player with some of the best stats in Europe for his position.”
Man Utd can sign Ederson for huge discount
The 26-year-old was widely fancied to move to United in the summer of 2024, but Atalanta did not entertain his exit. He is now likely to leave on a cut-price deal in January or next summer.
Atalanta are known as a selling club in Serie A. The Bergamo outfit will want the best possible fee and could be prepared to sell in January rather than allowing him to enter the last year of his deal.
This is where United must capitalise. The Italian club have had a dreadful start to the league campaign, but Ederson has still been impressive in the holding and central midfield positions.
The Brazilian has completed 91 percent of his passes and won 50 percent of his duels. He has made 4.4 recoveries and two tackles per outing, losing possession on fewer than nine occasions.
He has similar traits to compatriot Casemiro, but he is much more effective with his distribution. Casemiro has a pass completion rate of 83 percent, which is average for a defensive midfielder.
Ederson could be available for a starting price of just £26 million in January, as per Cury. Based on this, it appears a no-brainer signing for United. It would be a huge bargain deal for the club.
Stats from Sofascore.com