Man Utd are preparing to make Atalanta midfielder Ederson their first signing of the 2026 summer transfer window.
Ederson of Atalanta.
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Manchester United are close to agreeing a deal to make Atalanta midfielder Ederson their first signing of the summer transfer window. United have been in talks to sign Ederson in a transfer worth around £38million.
United have planned to overhaul the midfield, but signing Ederson is not set to alter the club's plan to sign a marquee Casemiro replacement.
Ederson played in his homeland of Brazil until 2022 before a move to Italian club Salernitana. After six months with Salernitana he signed for Atalanta, where he has made 180 appearances.
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In 2023/24, Ederson won the Europa League with Atalanta, starting in the final as the Italian side won 3-0 against Bayer Leverkusen.
Ederson was rewarded with his first call-up to Brazil's national team in May 2024, but he has not been selected by manager Carlo Ancelotti to represent his nation at this summer's World Cup.
The 26-year-old can play as a deep-lying midfielder or as a No.8, and he has built a reputation in Italy for his running power, averaging 10.6km per game in the Champions League this season.
United moved quickly to make Matheus Cunha their first signing of the summer window last year, announcing the deal on the first day of June, and Ederson is set to be the first new face through the door this summer.
The Reds are expected to focus on signing a replacement for Casemiro once Ederson's transfer is completed, with Elliot Anderson sitting at the top of United's midfielder shortlist.
Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira has admitted Anderson could be sold, but United are set to face stiff competition for his signature from Manchester City, who are thought to be in pole position.
Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni is seen as a dream midfield signing at Old Trafford, while United are monitoring the situations of Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba and Newcastle's Sandro Tonali.