Manchester United close to signing Atalanta midfielder Ederson in £38m deal

Manchester United are closing in on a £38million deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson, with the Brazilian set to become the club’s first summer acquisition.

Ederson, 26, is a versatile central midfielder capable of operating as a deep-lying pivot or as a more advanced No.8. In his own words, he is something of an all-rounder. “My features are the ability to keep the ball, and the strength. I can play both defensive and attacking football. I find it easy to attack the space,” he said upon joining Atalanta.

The move would fulfil a long-held ambition for the player, who made no secret of his desire to compete in the Champions League when he arrived in Bergamo. “When we started negotiating, it was one of the goals — my dream is to play in the Champions League,” he said. “When they told me this, I was even happier and more motivated.”

Much of Ederson’s development at Atalanta is credited to former manager Gian Piero Gasperini, who refined the midfielder’s game and sharpened his defensive instincts. “He transmits it to us, he tells us to be aggressive, to press. We’re used to it,” Ederson said of Gasperini. “In the past, I went to attack and Gasp made me become a little more practical. After a few months I understood what he was asking for.”

Ederson has worn the No.13 shirt throughout his time in Bergamo — a number chosen at his wife’s request, as she was born on the 13th of July. He has since had the number tattooed as a tribute to her. However, the shirt is currently occupied at Old Trafford by winger Patrick Dorgu, who has worn No.13 since his days at Midtjylland and continued with it at Lecce, making a change unlikely.