Manchester United sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for £35 million in first summer deal

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for an initial £35 million, with the fee potentially rising to nearly £40 million through add-ons, making him the club’s first signing of the summer under permanent manager Michael Carrick. The three-times-capped Brazil international has agreed a four-year contract at Old Trafford, with an option to extend by a further 12 months.

Ederson’s arrival is designed to fill the void left by Casemiro, whose departure from United has been widely anticipated. The two share the same nationality but represent contrasting stages of their careers — Casemiro a decorated veteran winding down, Ederson a player Carrick’s staff view as a long-term engine in central midfield.

United finished third in the 2025/26 Premier League season, a significant turnaround from their 15th-placed finish the previous campaign. That improvement, achieved without European football, earned them a return to the Champions League for 2026/27 — a factor that is understood to have aided recruitment conversations this summer.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Ederson is only the beginning of United’s midfield overhaul. “And don’t forget that this is just the first one for Manchester United. They will do many other things on the market,” Romano said. Mateus Fernandes and Elliot Anderson are both reported to be under active pursuit by the club, with United targeting up to three midfield additions before the window closes.

Ederson started 26 of Atalanta’s 38 Serie A fixtures last season, contributing to the Italian club’s UEFA Conference League qualification. He was not included in Brazil’s 26-man summer squad, giving him an extended pre-season to integrate into Carrick’s system ahead of the 2026/27 campaign.

Manuel Ugarte is also expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, further underlining the scale of the midfield rebuild Carrick has been tasked with overseeing.