Manchester United could make Ederson their first signing of the summer transfer window after making progress in talks with Serie A side Atalanta, but negotiations are not as advanced as reports in Italy claim.
United are looking to sign at least two midfielders this summer, and Ederson is definitely of interest. He could become Michael Carrick’s first signing if talks continue to progress.
Ederson has not been selected for Brazil’s squad for the World Cup, but with 180 appearances for Atalanta to his name, he is still a player with a lot of experience.
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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.
Ederson’s potential arrival at Old Trafford is not expected to alter United’s plans to sign a marquee midfielder to replace Casemiro. United chiefs have earmarked significant investment to sign Casemiro’s successor.
Elliot Anderson is 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.
United will not be drawn into a bidding war with City, but they remain interested in signing the England international, who impressed when he visited Old Trafford as Forest lost 3-2 earlier in the month.
Real Madrid star Aurelien Tchouameni is seen as a dream midfield signing at Old Trafford, but Madrid are expected to keep the Frenchman for Jose Mourinho’s first season back at the Bernabeu.
United are monitoring Mateus Fernandes’ situation at West Ham. Fernandes is set to leave the Hammers after their relegation to the second tier, but it remains to be seen whether United would look to sign Ederson, a marquee midfielder and Fernandes in the summer transfer window.
The other areas of the squad that could be strengthened are left wing and left-back. United were interested in signing Antoine Semenyo in the January window before he signed for City. Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho are leaving, so United are considering options in the market.
RB Leipzig winger Yan Diomande is on the club’s radar, but a fee of £85m has been mentioned in Germany, which would not be realistic for United in a summer when a marquee midfield signing is the priority.
Patrick Dorgu’s relocation to the left wing has come into the equation. Dorgu was in sparkling form on the wing before he picked up an injury in January, and he looked very good on Sunday in his first start since said injury.
United could decide to go into next season with Matheus Cunha – who has sometimes struggled to offer width – and Dorgu on the left flank if Carrick and his staff believe that should be his permanent position.
Luke Shaw has started every Premier League game this season, but United have played their fewest matches in a campaign for 100 years, and a deputy is expected to be signed ahead of a return to a more normal schedule.
Newcastle’s Lewis Hall is admired, although there is an acceptance at United that the Magpies would demand a hefty fee, and they would be reluctant to lose the young defender to a Premier League rival.
Hall is contracted at St. James’ Park until 2029. Arsenal defender Myles Lewis-Skelly and Eintracht Frankfurt left-back Nathaniel Brown have also been tracked by United.
