Manchester United have reached an agreement with Atalanta to sign Brazil midfielder Ederson in a deal worth £35 million (€40.5 million).
The 26-year-old is expected to sign a four-year contract at Old Trafford, with United holding the option to extend the deal by a further 12 months. The transfer includes an additional £3.9 million (€4.5 million) in potential add-ons.
Ederson still needs to complete a medical, but sources indicate the move is expected to be finalised in early July before United return for pre-season training.
He is set to become the club’s first signing since Michael Carrick was appointed permanent head coach last month.
Ederson’s arrival could be the first of up to three central midfield additions for Carrick this summer, with Manchester United prioritising reinforcements in that area.
United’s midfield has been weakened by the departure of Casemiro, whose contract expires at the end of the month. The 34-year-old Brazilian’s exit has increased the need for fresh energy, athleticism and depth in the centre of the pitch.
United are also interested in West Ham midfielder Mateus Fernandes, although the relegated London club are expected to demand a significant profit on the Portugal international, who cost more than £40 million when he joined from Southampton last summer.
Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is another player admired by United, but the England midfielder is understood to prefer a move to Manchester City.
Ederson has built a reputation as a versatile and dynamic central midfielder during his time with Atalanta. He has scored 16 goals in 180 appearances for the Serie A club in all competitions and has been used across several midfield roles.
The Brazil international, who has earned three caps, was included in Carlo Ancelotti’s expanded 55-man World Cup squad but missed out on the final selection.
His profile is viewed as a strong fit for United’s evolving midfield. Compared with Manuel Ugarte, who could also leave Old Trafford, Ederson offers more quality in possession and greater mobility across the pitch.
His style has drawn comparisons with Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes, combining physical presence, technical ability and tactical flexibility.
Manchester United’s recruitment process has been reshaped under minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, with the club placing greater emphasis on data analysis.
Michael Sansoni, a former senior Mercedes Formula 1 performance engineer, has played a key role in identifying transfer targets alongside director of football Jason Wilcox.
Carrick confirmed he has been involved in recruitment discussions since being named as Ruben Amorim’s temporary successor in January.
In addition to midfield reinforcements, Manchester United are also searching for a left-sided player, with Newcastle United’s Lewis Hall among the names under consideration.
The club are also looking to add attacking support for Benjamin Sesko.
United must still finalise the structure of their goalkeeping department. Radek Vitek, who impressed on loan at Bristol City and won the club’s player of the year awards, is part of the conversation.
The 22-year-old Czech goalkeeper told BBC Sport in April that he remains open-minded about his future but wants regular first-team football, suggesting he is unlikely to return to Old Trafford as back-up to Senne Lammens.
Former first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana has been informed he can look for another club, although his wage demands could complicate a departure, particularly after United’s qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Ederson’s rise has been shaped by resilience. He first made his name at Cruzeiro, where he stood out as a 20-year-old in 2019 despite the Brazilian giants enduring financial problems, off-field turmoil and relegation.
He later became a key figure for an Atalanta side that consistently punched above its weight in Serie A and Europe.
After three impressive seasons in Italy, Ederson now appears ready for the next step. For Manchester United, his arrival would signal the beginning of a major midfield rebuild under Carrick.
