Manchester United agree £38.3m Ederson deal with more midfield signings to follow

Manchester United have agreed a deal worth up to £38.3million to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, marking the first step in a broader overhaul of their midfield this summer. The 26-year-old will sign a four-year contract with an option for a fifth year, though he must still complete a medical and the transfer will not be formally finalised until early next month.

The club intends to sign at least one more central midfielder, and potentially two should they succeed in moving Manuel Ugarte on. Galatasaray have registered interest in the Uruguay international, which could free up funds and a squad place for further recruitment.

United’s primary target in the position had been Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson, identified as an ideal long-term replacement for Casemiro. However, Anderson is understood to prefer a move to Manchester City, who have already had a bid rejected by Forest, leaving that avenue looking increasingly difficult.

Among the alternatives under consideration is West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes. The 21-year-old was relegated with the Hammers last season, and while United have expressed interest, West Ham’s asking price remains a significant obstacle. Carlos Baleba of Brighton is also on the club’s radar, though United walked away from a deal for the midfielder last summer when Brighton valued him at £100million, and a similar pricing dispute could arise again.

A move for Real Madrid’s Aurelien Tchouameni appears unlikely after club president Florentino Perez publicly stated this week that the France international would not be leaving the Bernabéu.

On the subject of retention, Bruno Fernandes will remain at Old Trafford. United officials had made clear earlier in the year that keeping the club captain was a priority, and with the club returning to the Champions League, Fernandes is content to stay. No contract extension talks are planned for the summer, however — he has effectively two years remaining on his current deal and discussions will not be opened during this window.