News Focus
- Manchester United have agreed a £35 million fee with Atalanta for Brazilian midfielder Ederson.
- The 26-year-old will sign a four-year contract with an option to extend for an additional 12 months.
- The transfer is subject to a medical and is expected to be completed in early July.
- Ederson becomes the first signing under permanent head coach Michael Carrick.
- The deal could rise to £38.9 million with add-ons as United look to rebuild their midfield.
Manchester United have struck a deal worth £35 million with Atalanta to bring Brazilian midfielder Ederson to Old Trafford. The agreement also includes extra payments of £3.9 million.
The 26-year-old will sign a contract that runs for four years. The club can extend this deal by another year if they choose.
Ederson still needs to pass a medical examination. Sources close to the deal expect the transfer to finish in early July. This is before the squad returns for pre-season training.
This will be the club’s first new player since Michael Carrick became the permanent head coach last month. Carrick took over from Ruben Amorim on a temporary basis in January.
The club wants to add up to three new central midfielders this summer. This is because Casemiro is leaving the club when his contract ends this month. The 34-year-old Brazilian is moving on after his deal expires.
Ederson has played three times for Brazil’s national team. He was in the initial 55-man squad for the World Cup but did not make the final team chosen by Carlo Ancelotti.
During his time at Atalanta, he scored 16 goals in 180 matches. He can play in several different positions in the centre of midfield.
United are also looking at other players. They want Mateus Fernandes from West Ham, though the London club want a large profit on the Portuguese player. They also like Elliot Anderson from Nottingham Forest, but the English midfielder prefers to join Manchester City.
The club needs a player for the left side of the pitch. Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is one option they are considering. They also want to sign a striker to support Benjamin Sesko.
There are questions about the goalkeepers. Andre Onana can leave the club if he finds a new team. Radek Vitek, who played well on loan at Bristol City, wants regular games and may not return to be a backup.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe is leading changes in how the club finds players. Michael Sansoni, who used to work for Mercedes Formula One, is helping with data analysis. He works with director of football Jason Wilcox. Carrick has been part of recruitment meetings since January.