United close in on Ederson signing as midfield rebuild targets multiply

Manchester United have agreed a fee of approximately £38 million with Atalanta for midfielder Ederson, making the Brazilian their first signing of the summer transfer window. The 25-year-old is set to put pen to paper on a long-term contract at Old Trafford.

Ederson’s arrival is not expected to be the end of United’s midfield business. The club, under manager Michael Carrick, are targeting at least two and potentially three central midfielders before the window closes, with the primary aim of replacing Casemiro and adding depth ahead of an anticipated return to the Champions League.

Nottingham Forest’s Elliot Anderson is considered a top priority, while West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes, Brighton’s Carlos Baleba, Real Madrid’s Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Newcastle United’s Sandro Tonali are all understood to be high on the club’s shortlist.

Beyond midfield, United are also in the market for a winger, a full-back, and a centre-back this summer. AC Milan’s Rafael Leao and Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr are among the attacking names the club have been linked with over an extended period, though no agreements have been reported in either case.